Jun. 27, 2023
HARRISBURG – Five miles from Pennsylvania’s largest coal-fired electric generating facility, state Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) and the House Republican Policy Committee took a closer look Friday at Pennsylvania’s energy policy, both present and future. The hearing was conducted at the Homer City Volunteer Fire Department.
“It’s safe to say the Homer City Generation Station is ground zero for the debate over how we move forward in the energy space,” said Struzzi. “The Homer City facility is just days away from being shuttered thanks to our unfortunate de-emphasis on natural resources and the threat imposed by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).”
Former Gov. Tom Wolf unilaterally enrolled Pennsylvania in RGGI, which would eliminate 129 jobs at the Homer City plant and many more from “downstream” business which depend on the use of coal and the product generated by it.
“In addition, Pennsylvania’s status as a major exporter of electricity is being placed in jeopardy by RGGI, the fate of which is being decided by Commonwealth Court,” Struzzi added. “I’ve authored legislation which would require enrollment in it and future similar endeavors to go before the General Assembly. Governor Wolf clearly skipped a step in going around the House and Senate, who are the only bodies that can initiate implementation of a tax.”
“Pennsylvania’s position within the nation’s energy sector is unique and opportunistic,” said House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington). “If the RGGI energy tax goes through, it will cost residents more of their hard earned money and severely hinder any attempts to grow our economy - creating more obstacles to opportunity. Thank you to Rep. Struzzi and the testifiers for your hard work in bringing this critical issue to light.”
Representative Jim Struzzi
62nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives