News
PennFuture Hails Passage of Historic Global Warming Bill
HARRISBURG, Pa.-(Business Wire)-July 3, 2008 - Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture) today heralded the Pennsylvania General Assembly for overwhelmingly passing the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act, the first-ever legislation on global warming to pass on the state level.
"This bipartisan outpouring of support shows the seriousness of our climate problem, and the determination of our elected officials to face it squarely," said Jan Jarrett, PennFuture's vice president. "They understand that global warming poses a threat to our economy and our future if we don't take action, and they also understand that solving the problem will help grow the green economy and create new jobs."
The legislation culminates a nearly decade long campaign by Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), who was the driving force behind passage. "Greg Vitali is truly a hero for Pennsylvania," said Jarrett. "He worked tirelessly, sometimes as the lone voice, to move Pennsylvania into leadership in solving global warming." PennFuture also salutes Senator Ted Erickson (R-Chester, Delaware), the prime sponsor of the bill in the Senate, who was vital to passage of this historic legislation.
Pennsylvania emits one percent of the world's global warming pollution, more than the emissions of 105 developing countries combined. While Pennsylvania is a big contributor to global warming, it has opportunities to be a big part of the solution.
The Climate Change Act will require Pennsylvania to conduct an inventory of the sources and amounts of global warming pollution, set up a registry that will allow businesses and industries to track their emissions and get credit when they reduce their pollution, create a stakeholder group to advise the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about the implementation of the Act and charge DEP with developing a state plan to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gasses.
PennFuture is a statewide public interest membership organization, founded in 1998. Working from the premise that "Every environmental victory grows the economy," PennFuture has successfully advocated for landmark environmental legislation, including passage of the largest ever environmental funding bond, passage of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, adoption of the Clean Vehicles Program and adoption of a regulation that protects Pennsylvania's babies by restricting mercury pollution from coal fired power plants. PennFuture has staff throughout the state, in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, West Chester and Scranton. The Philadelphia Inquirer called PennFuture the "state's leading environmental advocacy organization."
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Search Our News Using Google Search
Can't find what you want? Try using Google:
