In response to Gov. Josh Shapiro and the General Assembly abandoning the Commonwealth’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) as part of closed-door budget negotiations with Senate Republicans, Evergreen Action Executive Director Lena Moffitt released the following statement:

“We are deeply disappointed that Governor Shapiro accepted this bad deal from Senate Republicans. For months, they’ve held the state budget hostage at the expense of Pennsylvania families. RGGI was the Commonwealth’s strongest tool for lowering energy costs, strengthening the grid, and cutting climate pollution. Walking away from it abandons the workers, communities, and industries that were ready to build a cleaner, cheaper energy system. Governor Shapiro was elected as a fighter who wouldn’t back down. But today, he caved to Republican obstruction, and now Pennsylvania families will pay the price.

“Last week’s elections made it clear that voters want leaders who will fight for them. This includes tackling skyrocketing energy costs and investing in cheap, clean energy to strengthen our grids. The decision to walk away from RGGI without a robust replacement sets the Commonwealth back, leaving Pennsylvania without a clear path forward. If RGGI isn’t the path, how do state leaders plan to bring down energy costs for families? We urge Governor Shapiro to lead in the face of this decision—building on his Lightning Plan and charting a new course with state legislators that puts working people first and delivers the affordable, reliable clean power Pennsylvania families deserve.”