Pennsylvania recently entered into the U.S. Climate Alliance, which is a consortium of states that are committed to implementing carbon emission limits in support of the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement aims to control the rise of global temperatures from exceeding 1.5⁰C above pre-industrial revolution development levels, through reducing carbon emissions by at least 26-28 percent below the year 2005’s levels in the next six years.
Pennsylvania is the twenty-fourth participant to enter into the U.S. Climate Alliance. As part of this effort, Pennsylvania’s governor issued an executive order to reduce carbon emissions by 26 percent from the year 2005’s concentrations to 80 percent by the year 2050. Oversight and coordination of the executive order will be addressed by a new committee called the GreenGov Council. The GreenGov Council will work with internal state agencies to reduce carbon emissions by implementing the following goals:
- Reducing overall energy consumption by 3 percent per year, and 21 percent by 2025, as compared to 2017 levels
- Replacing 25 percent of the state passenger car fleet with battery electric and plug-in electric hybrid cars by 2025
- Acquiring renewable energy to offset at least 40 percent of the commonwealth’s annual electricity use
In addition to the aforementioned items, the debate continues on how nuclear power facilities will fit within the context of the carbon discussion, and whether or not Pennsylvania will provide financial assistance in light of the competition offered by lower cost natural gas electric generation facilities. From our perspective, much of Pennsylvania’s progress to achieve the governor’s initiative will be accomplished through the procurement of electric power through renewable sources.
BAI has an established track record with the development of renewable projects involving biogas, wind and solar efforts. Based on the Pennsylvania initiative (along with similar efforts taken by several of the contiguous states), we anticipate this trend to continue – driving long-term demand for renewable projects. Please contact us for assistance if you are considering the implementation of a renewable energy project.