Report Explores Extreme Weather and PA’s Carbon Pollution Concerns
Thursday, March 27, 2014
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania is lagging behind other states when it comes to cutting carbon pollution, according to a new report from the environmental advocacy group PennEnvironment.
Elowyn Corby, a global warming and clean energy associate with PennEnvironment, says Pennsylvania could be playing a bigger role in the fight against global warming by boosting its clean energy standards, as many states already have.
"Right now we require 8 percent renewable resources, and we need to increase that substantially,” she stresses. “We know that we can reach 30 percent renewables by the year 2030. We need to move toward that goal."
The report also notes that scientists say extreme weather, such as Superstorm Sandy, foreshadows what could be a new normal of weather extremes, unless more climate-related action is taken.
Late last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said it would not recommend the state's Climate Change Advisory Committee debate or vote on a plan that considers increasing the state's renewable energy law, the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard.
In terms of effects on Pennsylvania's economy, Corby says the PennEnvironment report shows that clean energy is growing substantially across the country.
"Nationally, for instance, there have been more solar installs over the past 18 months than in the past 30 years combined,” she points out. “Renewable energy is taking off, not only as a solution to climate issues, it's also a good investment."
Corby adds power plants in Pennsylvania account for about 47 percent of the state's total carbon pollution.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…
Social Issues
A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …
Social Issues
Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …
Social Issues
Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…