Pennsylvania Policies Will Spark Increased Renewable Energy Build-Out, Helping Businesses Meet Goals

March 13, 2024 /3BL/ - Ceres and major companies doing business in Pennsylvania welcome two newly proposed policies from the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro that would grow the share of clean electricity in the state’s power mix, sparking an increased build-out of renewable energy resources.

Gov. Shapiro today introduced the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS), a proposal that would mark the first update to the Commonwealth’s clean electricity standard in recent history by requiring that low-carbon power represent 50% of the power mix by 2035. He also introduced the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction (PACER) Act, a second program that would establish a new market-based system to cut pollution from power plants, while investing proceeds in rebates for Pennsylvania residents and projects that reduce air pollution, lower energy costs for low-income Pennsylvanians, and invest in new clean energy projects.

Together, the two proposals would drive clean energy investment in Pennsylvania to create jobs, cut pollution, stabilize utility costs, and ensure the Commonwealth does not fall behind as energy innovation takes hold across the U.S. Businesses that have long advocated for stronger clean energy policy in Pennsylvania celebrated their introduction on Wednesday.

"DHL is committed to running a zero-emission fleet, and fully meeting that goal will require clean electricity to power our vehicles," said Reiner Wolfs, vice president and general manager, Northeast U.S., DHL Express. "We welcome Pennsylvania's plans to significantly increase renewable energy production this decade, and we commend the Commonwealth for pursuing policies that will benefit the economy by helping companies like ours meet their climate goals.”

“As renewable energy generation sweeps the nation, Siemens is excited to see the Shapiro administration invite more public-private collaboration into Pennsylvania to scale renewable electricity resources to power the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Ryan Dalton, senior director and northeast head of external affairs & policy, Siemens USA. “We look forward to the build-out of this infrastructure and the opportunity for businesses, communities, workers, and consumers to see the many benefits of these crucial policies.”

"Holcim US applauds the Shapiro administration for putting forward a plan to grow the Commonwealth's clean energy resources and ensure that industry is powered by clean electricity," said Lorraine Faccenda, plant manager of Holcim US' Whitehall Cement Plant. "We look forward to being a manufacturing implementation partner for important policies that align with our own goal to power 100 percent of our operations with renewable energy by 2030. Bold policies and bold actions will go hand in hand to benefit the Commonwealth's businesses, communities, and economy."

“We fully support Governor Shapiro’s vision for a clean energy future for Pennsylvania,” said Andrew Dempsey, director of climate, REI Co-op, which operates four stores, a distribution center, and a wide range of educational experiences and programs in the Commonwealth. “At REI, we believe effective government is key to achieving our shared climate goals and we applaud policies such as these that will accelerate the transition to a more sustainable economy. We welcome the Shapiro administration’s proposed legislation to cut pollution while creating jobs, driving innovation, and spurring economic growth that will benefit all Pennsylvanians.”

"As a company committed to becoming climate positive by 2030, IKEA U.S. supports policies that reduce carbon emissions," said Mardi Ditze, country sustainability manager, IKEA U.S. "Strong, clean electricity policies in Pennsylvania will help IKEA and other companies meet our climate goals and other business objectives. Clean energy will also help power our U.S. headquarters in Conshohocken, our Pennsylvania locations, and support meeting the needs of our customers across the Commonwealth."

Ceres has worked with Pennsylvania companies for years to support stronger clean energy and climate policies, including through widespread corporate advocacy for adoption of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reduce power-sector emissions and using proceeds to invest in the Commonwealth — which analysts project would save ratepayers more than $1.5 billion while bringing in nearly $1 billion to in federal clean energy funding through tax credits and other incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The proposed PACER policy would implement a new market-based cap-and-invest system for the Pennsylvania power system.

“Businesses and investors are clear-eyed about the many economic benefits of clean energy investment in Pennsylvania, and they support public policy that will bolster that investment in the Commonwealth,” said Alli Gold Roberts, senior director of state policy, Ceres. “As federal and private funding deliver a surge of investment in renewable power and other climate solutions across the U.S., this legislation will provide a strong foundation for Pennsylvania to harness the clean energy boom.”

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, [email protected], 617-247-0700 ext. 214