The Pennsylvania Budget is a Betrayal of the Environment

Today’s final budget vote represents a stunning betrayal of Pennsylvania’s environment and climate future. Abolishing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) marks the low point of a budget process already marred by short-sighted decisions and political deals that sacrifice long-term progress for short-term political convenience. 

"Pennsylvania was on the goal line of making meaningful progress toward cleaner air, lower energy costs, and reduced pollution," said Patrick McDonnell, President and CEO of PennFuture. "Instead of finishing the drive, the Governor and House Democrats didn’t just fumble the ball, they picked it up and ran it into the opponents' endzone." 

The RGGI program would have brought hundreds of millions of dollars annually to help Pennsylvania lower our energy bills, expand clean energy, and support workers and communities transitioning away from polluting industries. Abandoning it now leaves the Commonwealth without a plan to cut carbon pollution, address air quality, or help families struggling with energy costs. 

This decision comes on top of earlier budget moves to drop $50 million from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ budget and then try to backfill that with volatile oil and gas lease revenues, tying state parks and forests to fossil fuels. Together, these actions underscore a budget that turns its back on Pennsylvania’s clean energy future and undermines decades of bipartisan environmental progress. 

"The Governor’s signature accomplishments now include getting polluters their permits faster and attracting billions in investment for massive data centers that will raise electricity bills while continuing the trend of eliminating middle class jobs," McDonnell added. "This budget takes away the only real tool the state had to lower energy costs while doing nothing to advance renewable energy standards or ensure affordable, clean power for Pennsylvanians." 

PennFuture demands state leaders stop catering to fossil fuel and data center interests and start delivering real solutions that create jobs, reduce pollution, and provide relief for families facing rising energy bills. When future generations ask where we went wrong in managing the state’s climate crisis, they will look back on this moment.