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Click Here for a printable copy New Year's resolutions often fail to create lasting change in our behavior. But sometimes resolutions that are suggested by others can make that change happen. With that in mind, we have a number of resolutions to suggest that will make Pennsylvania a cleaner and greener place to live, work, and play.
Resolutions for the state legislature and the governor:
1. Enact a severance tax on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale as your first order of business in the New Year. In nearly all other states with substantial natural gas resources, including all 14 states with greater natural gas production than Pennsylvania, the drilling companies pay the state a severance tax on the value of the resource that the drillers take from the ground. States that impose such a tax include Texas and Oklahoma, where many of the companies drilling for Pennsylvania gas are based. Our neighboring state of West Virginia also has a tax on natural gas extraction, and is one of only a few states with a budget in the black. Pennsylvania needs a severance tax on the drilling, dedicated to protecting our environment; restoring local communities from the damage caused by these industrial drilling sites; funding our wildlife management agencies; and improving the Commonwealth's bottom line.
2. Pass the Green Jobs/Clean Energy Bills (House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 92). These companion bills expand our successful 2004 renewable energy standard to significantly grow the clean energy sector, create clean energy jobs and attract new investment to the Commonwealth.The legislation will boost economic development; create tens of thousands of green jobs; expand solar power by a factor of six, providing energy for more than half a million homes; more than double the amount of wind power produced; cut global warming pollution by more than 13 million tons a year; and extend the requirement that all Pennsylvania electric utilities buy increasing amounts of clean energy to 2024.The legislation will also propel Pennsylvania into national and international leadership in the capture and geologic storage of carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants that cause global warming.
3. Enact mandatory recycling of electronic gadgets and computers. There is nothing to prevent people from simply dumping electronic gadgets, computers and televisions into landfills, even though many are classified as hazardous waste and often contain toxic materials. Legislation being considered by the House and Senate will protect our environment and grow Pennsylvania's green economy. The proposed law requires the manufacturers of electronics to arrange for them to be responsibly recycled, usually by local e-cycling businesses. Enacting e-cycling legislation will be yet another win for the economy and the environment.
4. Continue a great thing by renewing Growing Greener. Governors from both parties knew a good thing when they saw it, which is why Governor Tom Ridge enacted Growing Greener and Governor Ed Rendell enacted Growing Greener II. The Growing Greener programs infused significant amounts of money into Pennsylvania's communities preserving our natural heritage and revitalizing our towns, cities, and countryside. But the Growing Greener money is running out, and the job is far from done. We must have new investments to protect our tourism and farming economies, and the great green state we call home.
And a resolution for the state legislature, the governor, our federal representatives and senators, and for every Pennsylvanian:
5. Take action right now to fight global warming. With polar ice melting, island nations drowning, and extreme weather events across the globe destroying our communities, each and every one of us should take action to fight global warming. Our legislature should immediately adopt the action plan that the state's Climate Change Advisory Committee has recommended. Pennsylvania is a major contributor of pollution that causes global warming, so we must take specific action now to clean up our act.
Our U.S. representatives should pass legislation that puts a firm limit on emissions of carbon dioxide, the main global warming pollutant, and requires polluters to pay for releasing heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Some of the money should be returned directly to citizens.
Returning some of the revenue raised from auctioning off pollution permits directly to citizens is the perfect solution to two crises facing America right now – the looming threat of global warming, and the economic downturn that has left many families struggling. This would establish a path towards reducing pollution by 80 percent by 2050 – a giant step in fighting climate change.
As 2010 arrives, we hope everyone resolves to do the right thing for Pennsylvania. Starting with these five resolutions, we can put our great state on the path to a clean and green future, with great green jobs and vibrant economy.
PennFuture Facts will return on January 6, 2010. Have a great New Year.
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