| |
Dear Friend, As early as TODAY, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives plans to vote on a bill, HB1947, to strip authority from PA municipalities and preempt any local policy that would promote clean energy in our buildings. About 12% of Pennsylvania’s greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution comes from burning fossil fuels to heat space and water in our buildings - both residential and commercial. In cities like Philadelphia, buildings are responsible for more than 70% of climate pollution. Counties, cities, boroughs, and townships across Pennsylvania have been working hard to combat the climate crisis and promote clean energy at the local level. But state legislators in Harrisburg have taken a bill - drafted by a national trade group for gas companies - and used it to try and block local progress and keep our buildings hooked on fossil fuels. The American Gas Association has shopped this legislation in statehouses across the country, with more than 20 red states signing it into law in the past two years. They’ve found another willing audience in Harrisburg, where our legislature is no stranger to trying to strip power from our local elected officials and help the gas industry. Take action today and tell your House Rep to vote NO on HB1947. Burning gas and other fossil fuels in our buildings contributes directly to the climate crisis and also threatens our families with devastating indoor air pollution. There are significant health concerns surrounding use of gas appliances in homes and businesses, which result in a mix of nitrogen dioxide, fine particulates, formaldehyde, and other pollutants that can contribute to childhood asthma, cancer, and diabetes. Under current law, Pennsylvania municipalities can offer tax incentives to developers to encourage all-electric construction in new buildings and enact policies to retrofit existing buildings to make them more energy efficient and thereby mitigate some of these harms. Many municipalities have adopted their own climate plans, but HB1947 seeks to block any and all municipal efforts to clean up the energy used by buildings. This would fundamentally stop cities and towns from meeting any of their long-term climate goals. HB1947 is an attempt to lock in the status quo. Our buildings have long been reliant on dirty fossil fuels, but the PA House wants to ensure local conversations to move to clean energy are immediately stifled. Cleaner options exist, they are more cost-effective, and they are absolutely safer for our communities and our planet. Don’t let the Pennsylvania House keep local elected leaders from working to protect and meet the needs of their constituents. Please tell your House member to OPPOSE HB1947. | |
Joseph Otis Minott, Esq.
Executive Director and Chief Counsel | |
