Opinion: Wolf and Wagner need to be specific in plans to help the environment

This opinion piece originally appeared in PennLive and reminds readers that Pennsylvania’s Constitution guarantees the right to clean air, pure water and the preservation of our natural and scenic values. Whoever becomes governor on January 15 will swear an oath to uphold those rights under the Environmental Rights Amendment.

As the general election approaches, neither Governor Tom Wolf nor challenger Scott Wagner has offered detailed proposals on how they will meet this constitutional responsibility. Voters deserve specifics on how each candidate will address climate change, reduce pollution from the state’s energy and agricultural sectors, and ensure enforcement of environmental regulations.

Pennsylvanians depend on clean air, safe drinking water and healthy landscapes for their quality of life and economic prosperity. Candidates for governor must explain how they will protect and restore the environment—through renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture and robust enforcement—so voters can make an informed choice in November.