By Kelly Flanigan
If we’re going to make headway in the fight against climate change, we must reduce the carbon footprint of our homes and buildings. That’s because buildings account for about 40% of all energy use in the United States. And about 80% of that energy comes from dirty power sources that contribute to climate-altering emissions.
If we’re truly going to make tackling climate change a priority, we must transition away from heating and appliances that are fossil fuel-powered and take advantage of electric alternatives that can be powered by clean sources like wind and solar energy.
Yet working on behalf of the fossil fuel industry, the state legislature is on the verge of passing a new law that would strip the authority of Pennsylvania cities and towns to implement their own policies that would reduce our reliance on dirty oil and gas towards clean, climate-friendly sources.
If signed into law, this legislation (Senate Bill 275 and House Bill 1947) will preempt local officials’ ability to limit the use of gas in buildings. Such a move would effectively take away communities’ freedom to implement clean energy policies at the local level.
Pennsylvania has an important role to play in the movement to electrify our buildings. According to PennEnvironment’s Electric Buildings 2021 report, electrifying almost all residential and commercial buildings in Pennsylvania by 2030 would reduce carbon emissions by 13.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide -- equivalent to taking nearly 3 million cars off the road.
The good news is that we have the technology and tools today at our fingertips to make that goal a reality.
The bad news is that gas companies here in Pennsylvania and across the nation are working hard to stop that transition to a clean energy economy from happening. They want to keep us addicted to their dirty energy product, reaping short-term profits for as long as possible while the planet will suffer the long-term consequences.
Senate Bill 275 and House Bill 1947 go so far as to say that any steps municipalities take that “in effect” reduce our reliance on gas could face legal action by the fossil fuel lobby or other polluting interests. That could include steps like promoting home weatherization, appliance efficiency standards, or even programs to help incentivize local residents putting solar on their roofs. That far-reaching language could leave local decision-makers in a vulnerable position, never knowing when they may be sued for trying to help protect our planet.
If the fossil fuel lobby has its way, Pennsylvania cities and towns that want to help fight climate change by electrifying their homes, buildings and businesses will have had their hands tied behind their back.
Special interests can’t be allowed to convince state lawmakers to trample on the freedom of our local communities. We should be able to maintain the right to tap into clean energy and choose efficient, electric buildings.
To avoid this colossal misstep, we must press our state representatives and senators to oppose SB275 and HB1947. Instead, they must represent what Pennsylvanians truly want to see: Policies that will usher in a clean, climate-friendly future, not hinder it.
Kelly Flanigan is the Global Warming Solutions Associate with PennEnvironment.