Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana, is pictured during a news conference during which Republicans introduced legislation that would require legislative authorization before Pennsylvania could impose a carbon tax or enter into a multi-state cap-and-trade program such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The bill passed, but was vetoed by former Gov. Tom Wolf. gggg

A delay in Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is prompting another Republican-led effort to require legislative approval to join the program.

Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana, and Rep. Dallas Kephart, R-Clearfield/Cambria, are circulating a co-sponsorship memorandum for legislation they are drafting that would make clear future similar proposals would have to be legislatively approved rather than approved through executive action and agency regulation.

State Commonwealth Court temporarily blocked Pennsylvania from participating in RGGI, ruling former Gov. Tom Wolf’s entry into RGGI sought to impose an unlawful tax because it hadn’t been approved by the state Legislature. The court case is still being heard.

“Our legislation will eliminate the RGGI regulation and prevent future similar proposals from proceeding without legislative approval, which will protect Pennsylvania energy consumers and save the Commonwealth significant funds in ongoing litigation fees,” Struzzi and Kephart wrote in their legislative memorandum.

“This legislation aligns with candidate (Josh) Shapiro’s stated concerns and will allow Governor (Josh) Shapiro to support union workers and energy consumers throughout the Commonwealth by refocusing Pennsylvania’s energy policies on initiatives that benefit our Commonwealth.”

Rep. Dallas Kephart, R-Clearfield/Cambria, is pictured during a legislative meeting.

At the same time, Gov. Josh Shapiro hasn’t said publicly whether or not he will keep Pennsylvania in RGGI. He has said, according to centredaily.com, that he will consult with experts to see if RGGI would increase energy prices, cost jobs or protect the environment. The governor has said he wants to put money into plugging abandoned oil and gas wells throughout Pennsylvania as well as to make investments and create tax incentives for zero carbon technology, though no specific plans have been unveiled yet. Shapiro also s said he wants to have Pennsylvania generate 30% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

“When Governor Shapiro was still a candidate for the office, he stated that he had real concerns about the impact that RGGI will have on consumer prices and that he is not sure that RGGI passes the test of protecting and creating energy jobs and ensuring that Pennsylvania has reliable, clean, and affordable power,” Struzzi and Kephart wrote.

Struzzi had previously sponsored House Bill 2050, which would have required legislative approval before Pennsylvania could have netered into RGGI or a similar multi-state compact. The bill passed both the House and Senate and was vetoed by Wolf.