Compared to other climate initiatives promoted by Pennsylvania Democrats, it could also get a warmer welcome from Republicans who control the state’s legislature. The idea of incentivizing carbon capture technology has support from unions, whose leaders see it as a way to preserve dwindling coal jobs. “I wanted to get us close to net zero as soon as possible.” ‘A bridge’ “I thought we needed to find a way to address the problem, recognizing it’s unlikely we’ll be able to go 100% no-emissions in the near future,” he said. Sharif said his plan would also “probably” include some expansion of Tier 1 sources like wind and solar, too. “We’re also looking to create incentives for both artificial geological sequestration and incentives for natural sequestration” - that means planting lots of trees. Sharif wants to create a new tier of alternative energy within Pennsylvania’s law to “include carbon capture, and some nuclear power,” he said. But it is technically possible to remove carbon dioxide at power plants and industrial facilities and store it underground or process it into products. It’s why Sharif plans to introduce a bill to place carbon capture and storage as a major component of updating Pennsylvania’s renewable portfolio standard.Ĭritics note that the technology is expensive - that’s why it has not been widely adopted. Many - including California, New York, Maryland, and New Jersey - have set standards to reach 50% renewable energy or higher by 2030. Renewable portfolio standards now exist in most states. It required that 18% of the state’s electricity come from “alternative sources” by 2021, including 8% from so-called Tier 1 sources, such as wind and solar.īut as 2021 approaches, Pennsylvania can no longer claim to be a clean energy leader. In 2004 Pennsylvania passed what was at the time considered an ambitious clean energy law. “We have to put forth legislation that can be implemented and supported by a broad-based coalition.” Sharif Street, a Democrat from Philadelphia. “If we’re going to be serious about addressing the existential threat that climate change presents, we can’t just talk about good ideas,” said state Sen. Sharif Street, a Democrat from Philadelphia, thinks incentives for carbon capture and storage could win over unions and Republicans.Ī Pennsylvania lawmaker thinks carbon capture and storage could be the key to curbing emissions while sustaining the state’s politically important fossil fuel industry.
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