Climate Policy
Pennsylvania’s climate policies fall short
Avoiding the most severe impacts of climate change requires net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
That means everything we do — from our power supply to transportation to agriculture — must release less greenhouse gases than our lands and waters can naturally absorb.
This vision of a more sustainable economy can become Pennsylvania’s future. It’s time we fully embrace clean energy, reduce industrial pollution, and collectively transition to an electric-powered transportation system.
Taking aim at the state's most notorious, well-funded polluters
Our elected officials continue to support the struggling coal, gas and oil industries — at the expense of the health and prosperity of the vast majorities of Pennsylvanians.
Pride in our mining and industrial past should not limit our collective ambitions. For too long, entrenched special interests have subsidized, shielded and sugar-coated fossil fuels.
Without a major shift in our climate policies, Pennsylvania risks greater intensity of natural disasters and fewer opportunities for economic growth.
We can avert the most severe impacts of climate change and position our communities for long-term prosperity.
How we respond to the climate crisis will define our communities for generations to come. It’s time we move forward.
PennFuture’s climate policy agenda
- Advance a cap-and-invest program compatible with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
- Advance and advocate for implementation of PennFuture's "A Green Stimulus and Recovery Platform for Pennsylvania" report.
- Advance and advocate for implementation of the Reimagine Appalachia federal policy blueprint.
- Advocate for cleaner transportation policies through the General Assembly and Public Utility Commission.
- Ensure adoption of stronger air quality standards.
- Advance legislation that expands incentives and limits barriers for deploying energy efficiency and renewable energy.