Pennsylvania Supreme Court Presses Officials On RGGI Carbon Tax
Justices wondered aloud whether emissions from cars and cows will be targeted next.
by Christen Smith May 16, 2025, 7:53 AM
A skeptical high court grilled state officials this week about whether the money it wants to collect from a regional anti-pollution pact constitutes a fee or a tax. [emphasis, links added]
Only the latter needs legislative approval, which will not happen with a split General Assembly, where the risk of rising utility bills by 30% during economic uncertainty weighs heavily.
That means it’s up to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to decide if the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s effort to limit harmful emissions from power plants across the mid-Atlantic rises above the financial impact residents may feel.
The Department of Environmental Protection believes it does, citing an interpretation of the federal Clean Air Act as proof.
https://climatechangedispatch.com/pennsylvania-rggi-carbon-tax-high-court/
