There is no perfect plan to try to address, contain or mitigate climate change. But address it we must.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, referred to as RGGI, is surely not perfect. However, it has a proven record of saving money, decent money, in the states that have created this kind of compact. It may not be perfect, but it works.
The outcry against it seems to center around raised energy bills for poor and working class families and indeed, at times and in the beginning, bills do get raised. But like the stock market, as one looks to the ensuing years RGGI is in place, this is no longer the case and the savings become difficult to deny.
In the 11 states where it is up and running, approximately $3 billion was raised – $3 Billion that can go to investment in bettering the lives of all people. And besides, it also helped to cut pollution in those same states by one-third.
Clean up pollution and save money? Who can argue about that? The fate of RGGI is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. While it is there, maybe you can call your elected officials to voice your support.
Sharon Furlong, Feasterville
Bucks Environmental Action
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
