Pennsylvania works to counter Trump clean energy rollbacks

The Trump administration’s rollback of clean energy progress and climate science is eliciting a strong response from Pennsylvania.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has already sued the Trump administration, leading to the release of $2 billion in federal aid. Now, Shapiro is pushing ahead with a six-part proposal to expand clean energy projects.

Molly Parzen – the executive director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania – said despite Trump’s efforts to stall progress on clean energy and fighting climate change, the Shapiro plan should boost Pennsylvania’s economy.

“Gov. Shapiro has been really leading on this,” said Parzen. “He’s proposed an ambitious, what he’s calling, ‘Lightning Plan.’ This plan has a bunch of component parts, many of which would boost clean energy production, cutting through permitting obstacles, enabling rural communities to share clean energy resources.”

Parzen pointed out the plan would also set a target that Pennsylvania generate 35% of its energy from clean sources by 2035.

But critics of the Lighting Plan say it could sustain, or even increase, fossil fuel production in the state.

Parzen said her group supports several bills in the General Assembly, including one to reform the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority – which manages energy project funding.

The legislation aims to improve the agency, ensure federal funds keep coming and support more clean energy projects.

Parzen said it will take a continuous funding stream to make the governor’s proposal work, which includes what Shapiro calls a “community energy initiative.”

“We want to give families who are struggling with high electricity bills the option to opt into clean energy and access cheaper clean energy,” said Parzen, “through things like community solar, community geothermal and other types of projects that can generate for multiple households.”

Parzen added that Pennsylvania is already using funds from the Inflation Reduction Act for some clean energy initiatives, including the bipartisan Solar for Schools legislation.

The program leverages federal climate dollars to expand clean energy, create jobs and help school districts save on electricity costs.