Pennsylvania’s economic reliance on fossil fuel runs deeper than the veins of coal we insist on still extracting. In reality, our fossil fuel economy is as tenuous as the bedrock we frack and decimate to release natural gas into our lives. What will it take to leave it in the ground, and move boldly into a new energy, climate-friendly future driven by renewables and efficiency?  

 

That “future” is taking place, right now, in other states that have embraced clean energy jobs. Neighboring states are making business development investments and creating incentives that attract wind, solar and related-manufacturing jobs, and create a new workforce to support clean energy industries. They are increasing public investment in research and development and innovation. This is happening in places like New Jersey, where new Governor Murphy prioritized clean energy during his campaign, and in neighboring New York, where Governor Cuomo launched a $5 billion fund to grow New York’s clean energy economy.

 

Other states are reaping the economic benefits of clean energy now, at lower cost to public health, environment and climate than what Pennsylvanians must endure through the dominance of dirty energy. Pennsylvania’s government is simply doing too much to facilitate the success of the fossil fuel industry, including sweetening fossil fuel development with exorbitant subsidies such as the nearly $1.6 billion that ex-Governor Tom Corbett provided Shell Chemical Appalachia to build an ethane cracker plant in Beaver County so the world can have more plastic. Governor Wolf supports the plant.

 

I believe clean energy and climate champions will carry the day. If there is any doubt, witness the moves by multinationals like BP, Shell, Ford. All are moving aggressively into the future, and the future is clean energy.