PennFuture Blog

Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate

A Breath of Fresh Air: How Will the Biden Administration Fight Carbon Pollution?

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Even though federal action is likely on the way, Pennsylvania can and should move forward with its own proposed CO2 Cap and Invest program without delay. Read more

Fossil Fuel Polluters and Friends Ramp Up New Attack on Solar Energy in Pa.

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Rep. Chris Dush, one of the most notorious climate deniers in the state House of Representatives, is leading a new assault on solar energy in Pa. Read more

Despite roadblocks from Legislature, RGGI rulemaking process advances

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
On Sept. 15, the Environmental Quality Board advanced for public comment Pennsylvania's cap-and-invest carbon reduction rule. Read more

Senate Bill 15: A New Direction for Pennsylvania

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Sen. Costa and a number of co-sponsors have just introduced “The Energy Transition and Recovery Act” that, if passed, would help guide the Commonwealth through the coming energy transition and support our workers and communities as we cut carbon emissions and other harmful pollution. Read more

It’s Time to Move the RGGI Rulemaking Process Forward

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
On May 19th, the DEP is going to make a presentation to the Citizens Advisory Council and ask them to recommend that the RGGI rules be sent to the Environmental Quality Board for consideration. Read more

Model shows participation in RGGI would reduce pollution by 180 million tons

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
The results show the plan marks a significant step toward reaching our carbon pollution goals by saving 180 million tons of carbon pollution while maintaining Pennsylvania's status as a significant energy generator and exporter. Read more

DEP is Asking Us to Pick Up the Bill for Waste Coal...Again

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
In creating a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions in Pennsylvania, the state DEP should rethink its policy on waste coal. Read more

What is the Transportation and Climate Initiative?

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Pennsylvania and other Northeast and Mid Atlantic states are exploring a cap-and-invest approach to address transportation-related carbon pollution Read more

Fallacy, Fiction, and Falsehoods: Debunking RGGI Myths Part 1

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Facing the prospect of actually having to pay for their pollution rather than being allowed to dump it in the air for free, polluters and their friends are mobilizing to oppose RGGI with fallacies and mistruths. Read more

First Glimpse: PennFuture analyzes draft of DEP's cap-and-invest program

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Next week, the state DEP will present its first draft of a cap-and-invest program that could be implemented in Pennsylvania. Read more

New rule attempts to tackle pollution from oil and gas wells

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
While an important step, the proposed rulemaking still has some hurdles in the regulatory process before becoming law, but the rule also has some significant shortfalls. Read more

Legislators say Gov. Wolf lacks the authority to have Pennsylvania join RGGI. This is why they’re wrong.

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Earlier this week, a group of state legislators held a press conference in Harrisburg to unveil new legislation that challenges Gov. Tom Wolf’s authority to enter into a partnership like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Read more

So Pennsylvania Might Join RGGI. What Comes Next?

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Rob Altenburg describes the process that will unfold over the next 18 to 24 months as Pennsylvania works to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Read more

A Sunnier Vision for Pennsylvania: An Alternative to Giving Tax Breaks to Fossil Fuels

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
On Sept. 19th, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to give yet another gift to the already heavily subsidized natural gas and petrochemical industry: a 20 percent tax break. This archaic vision of economic development in Pennsylvania is a threat to our communities, ecology, and climate. Read more

Philadelphia Energy Solutions' Failures

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Dumping money into the petrochemical industry is a dead end for Pennsylvania and we need a better and more sustainable pathway for our future. Read more

Reducing Methane Pollution Requires Action Now

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
A look at the latest steps being taken to reduce methane pollution in PA. Read more

House Bill 2154 Threatens PA Communities, Putting Polluters First

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Read the latest on a destructive bill moving through the State Senate and learn how you can help to stop it. Read more

Trump's Proposed Car Emissions Rollback Would Prevent States from Protecting Citizens

by Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate
Director of PennFuture's Energy Center Rob Altenburg explains the implications of recent rollbacks. Read more