Construction industry views carbon tax proposal as ‘preparing the feast for Thanksgiving
An Unlikely Alliance: Pennsylvania’s Building Trades Back Shapiro’s Carbon Plan
In an unprecedented move, Pennsylvania’s building and construction trades have thrown their weight behind Gov. Josh Shapiro’s new carbon tax strategy, signaling a pivotal shift towards unity in climate change initiatives within the Keystone State.
A Seat at the Table for Lawmakers
With a firm stance on collaboration, the trades are calling for legislative support.
“The governor recognized our need for legislative action,”
remarked Robert Bair, the influential president of the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades. “It’s akin to setting the Thanksgiving table—now it’s time for everyone to come together and feast,” he quipped, driving home the urgency of bipartisan commitment.
Changing Tides in Climate Policy
Traditionally aligned with policymakers against environmental pacts, the trades’ support is a dramatic turn from prior standpoints. Pennsylvania’s crucial position as a leading energy provider has stirred debates about the economic implications of joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)—an 11-state compact striving for zero emissions by 2040.
An overstepped executive move by the former governor put Pennsylvania on track to become the 12th member of RGGI, a move later deemed unconstitutional by the Commonwealth Court. This didn’t deter Shapiro, however, who sees a Pennsylvania-centric solution as the path forward.
Shapiro’s Two-Pronged Approach: PACER and PRESS
- The Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) proposes a state-focused carbon emission cap, resembling RGGI’s structure.
- The Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) is committed to ensuring 35% clean energy usage statewide.
Together, these proposals are poised to provide a windfall of savings and employment, promising $252 million in savings over five years and the creation of 14,500 jobs.
Commitment to Pennsylvania’s Energy Legacy
“Maintaining our position as the nation’s premier energy exporter is crucial,” Bair argues, acknowledging the state’s bedrock of natural gas industries. “Ignorance is not a strategy,” he asserts, stressing the governor’s recognition of industry significance, yet emphasizing the imperative need for action.
Fears of increased utility costs and job losses loom large among workers and lawmakers alike, apprehensive of the repercussions RGGI’s uniform cap would spawn.
Building a Sustainable Future
Pat Dolan of the United Association Local Union 524 voices a central concern for the building trades—employment stability. “Energy sector jobs are our bread and butter—from plant construction to energy-efficient upgrades in schools.” Such projects underscore the crucial role of job creation in these trades.
Labor leaders across the state, including those from the Laborers District Councils and the Steamfitters Local 420, have also endorsed Shapiro’s plan.
Bair’s final note encapsulates the sentiment of the moment, “We’re dedicated to making this work, despite our differences. Being part of the problem is easy; the real challenge lies in being part of the solution.”
An unlikely alliance has indeed been forged, with Shapiro’s carbon tax plan serving not just as policy, but as a beacon of collective resolve in the face of climate challenges.
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