Burns votes to rein in governor’s executive action on energy regulation
Bill would require public, legislative input on RGGI carbon agreement
Rep. Frank Burns July 8, 2020 | 5:12 PM
HARRISBURG, July 8 – Wary of governmental overreach and concerned about the livelihoods of hardworking Pennsylvanians, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today joined a bipartisan coalition to pass legislation that would prevent the governor from using executive powers to force Pennsylvanian into a carbon tax scheme.
“Our governor seems to have forgotten the legislature is an equal branch of government, representing the people,” Burns said. “Now is not the time for forced regulation that will lead to higher electric bills and thousands of family-sustaining jobs lost. Today I voted to ensure the public has a voice in this proposed regulatory process.”
House Bill 2025, which passed today with a bipartisan majority, would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection from adopting any action or joining any program (such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or "RGGI") designed to limit carbon dioxide emissions unless the General Assembly specifically authorizes it. It also establishes the process for submitting for authorization to the General Assembly any such measure.
“As a legislator who focuses on economic development, I’ve supported our energy sector since day one, including the CPV Fairview Energy Center in our own backyard,” Burns said. “We need to encourage our energy companies to invest in technology and in our communities to create more family-sustaining jobs – not taxing them out of existence. I remain committed to fighting for jobs and economic growth in the region.”