Bill > HB1164

This bill, known as the Pennsylvania Carbon Dioxide Cap and Trade Authorization Act, establishes a comprehensive process for how the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) can propose any measures to regulate or tax carbon dioxide emissions. The bill explicitly states that currently no state agency has the authority to regulate or impose a tax on carbon dioxide emissions, and any such action must first be approved by the General Assembly. If the DEP wants to propose a measure to limit carbon dioxide emissions, such as joining a cap-and-trade program like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), it must follow a rigorous procedure that includes a 180-day public comment period, at least four public hearings in different locations, and submission of a detailed report to legislative committees. The report must include comprehensive economic and environmental impact analyses, such as the number of facilities affected, potential emissions reductions, electricity price impacts, and potential economic consequences. The bill also abrogates existing regulations related to greenhouse gas emissions and prohibits the DEP from adopting any emissions control measures without specific legislative authorization. Essentially, the bill shifts the power to regulate carbon emissions from state agencies to the state legislature, requiring a thorough review and approval process for any proposed carbon reduction strategies.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1164