Gov. Wolf Vetoes Climate Bill He Says 'Ignores Science'

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill he said "ignores science" and the dangers of climate change.

House Bill 2025 would have halted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's efforts to mitigate climate change and would have prevented the state from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative without legislative approval, Wolf said.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. James Struzzi, a Republican of Indiana County.

In his legislative memorandum, he warned of the impacts of joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. "If Pennsylvania were to adopt a carbon tax, such as that imposed by joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the remaining coal-fired EGUs (electric generating units) would be forced to pay hundreds of millions in additional taxes and, as a result, will shut down."

Further, Struzzi went on to say, "a carbon tax is a major energy and fiscal policy initiative, and if such a tax is to be imposed on Pennsylvania industries, we believe it must emanate from the General Assembly. In addition to the fiscal impact on Pennsylvania manufacturers, coal and gas electric generation, consumers, and future economic investments made in our state, this also implicates serious constitutional principles of checks and balances that merit a strong, bipartisan response from the Legislative Branch."

Wolf, in his veto message, said addressing the global climate crisis is "one of the most important and critical challenges we face."

He said the legislation is "extremely harmful to public health and welfare as it prevents the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from taking any measure or action to abate, control or limit carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas and major contributor to climate change impacts, without prior approval of the General Assembly."

Environmentalists applauded the veto.

“As the Western U.S. suffers through devastating wildfires, the Gulf Coast recovers from another hurricane, and after the Keystone state experienced a sweltering, record-hot summer, many Pennsylvanians are wondering how to fight the climate crisis here at home. Gov. Wolf is providing a bold answer. Given a choice between living in the past with dirty fuels or being on the right side of history, Gov. Wolf is showing he’s ready to protect our communities and future generations across the state.," PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center’s Executive Director David Masur said in a statement.