STATEMENT: PennEnvironment applauds Gov. Shapiro’s energy plan announcement

[Philadelphia, PA] – Gov. Shapiro unveiled his plan for a statewide energy plan for Pennsylvania entitled the “Lightning Plan” last month at a news conference in York County. 

The plan includes proposals to increase the amount of clean, renewable energy that utility companies must supply in Pennsylvania; expand the state’s cornerstone energy conservation program in order to reduce energy consumption and save Pennsylvanians money on their utility bills; reduce climate pollution from the state’s largest global warming polluters; authorize community energy, which will allow residents to access and jointly share solar energy resources; and streamline the process for wind and solar projects to come online faster, to help deliver more clean energy.

Gov. Shapiro’s Lightning Plan requires legislative action by the state’s general assembly to be enacted into law. Cosponsors for each piece of legislation in the governor’s energy plan have also been announced. 

In response to Governor Shapiro’s announcement about the proposed Lightning Plan, PennEnvironment’s Executive Director David Masur released the following statement: 

“Gov. Shapiro’s recently announced statewide energy plan will help Pennsylvania produce more clean wind and solar power and expand the state’s energy conservation programs. These initiatives will go a long way towards making Pennsylvania a leader in the effort to promote a clean energy future.

“This is particularly critical since Pennsylvania currently ranks a dismal 48th in the nation for growth in renewable energy.  The new energy plan put forth by Gov. Shapiro can help put Pennsylvania on the path of being a clean energy leader, instead of a clean energy laggard.

“If we want to tackle air and climate pollution and help keep our electricity bills down, it’s critical that Pennsylvania move away from dirty energy sources like burning coal and fracked gas, and instead lean into clean energy alternatives like wind, solar and energy conservation.

“With leadership lagging at the federal level, it’s more crucial than ever that our elected leaders in Harrisburg take up the mantle and help make Pennsylvania a clean energy leader. Together, we can build the momentum needed to implement solutions that will leave a climate-safe planet for our kids, grandchildren and future generations.”