‘What does the science say?’: Bipartisan group of legislators reintroduces bills to get Pennsylvania 100% powered by renewable energy

Marie Cusick Bio Recent Stories As the Harrisburg reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania, Marie Cusick covers energy and environmental issues for public radio stations statewide. She’s also part of NPR’s energy and environment team, which coordinates coverage between the network and select member station reporters around the country. Her work frequently airs on NPR shows including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition. Since 2012, Marie has closely followed the political, social, environmental, and economic effects of Pennsylvania’s natural gas boom. Her work has been recognized at the regional and national levels– honors include a Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists and a national Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association. Previously, Marie was a multimedia reporter for WMHT in Albany, New York and covered technology for the station’s statewide public affairs TV show, New York NOW. In 2018, she became StateImpact’s first FAA-licensed drone pilot.

A bipartisan group of state legislators is re-introducing a pair bills aimed at getting Pennsylvania to have 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.

Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) sponsors the House version, HB 1425, and said climate science makes it clear action is needed.

Marie Cusick/ StateImpact Pennsylvania

“Most people believe in science—perhaps most people in this building,” Rabb said, referring to the state Capitol. “What does the science say? It says we are really pushing it.”

Pennsylvania is already experiencing disruptions from the warming climate, including more precipitation and extreme weather. For example, average annual precipitation in the state has increased by about 10 percent since the early 20th century and is projected to increase another 8 percent by the middle of the century.

Sen. Tom Killion (R- Chester) is sponsoring the Senate version of the bill. He said he will be in his 90s by the time 2050 rolls around, but mentioned his children and grandchildren as one of the reasons he’s getting behind the measures — noting climate change is not a partisan issue.

“It’s not just about the environment. It’s about jobs,” Killion said. “These are great, high-paying jobs we can create by going to renewable energy.”

The measures include language creating a Just Transition Community Advisory Committee, to help ensure workers displaced from fossil fuel industries find new jobs.

The bills’ supporters acknowledge the chance of passage remains unlikely in Pennsylvania’s current political landscape. Similar measures failed to advance last year. Among U.S. states, Pennsylvania ranks second and third for production of natural gas and coal, respectively.

Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, unveiled a climate action plan last week that aims to reduce emissions 80 percent from 2005 levels by 2050, and he has called climate change, “one of the big issues we have to deal with.”

His office did not respond to a request seeking comment on the renewable energy bills Tuesday. Spokespeople for the House and Senate Republicans, which hold the majorities in the legislature, also did not respond to requests for comment on the measures.

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