Date: November 5, 2025
Contact: Katie Thompson, Director of Outreach, Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance
kthompson@keealliance.org, (215) 792-2101
Like many energy advocacy groups, the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance has heard rumors that Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is on the chopping block during budget negotiations. In response, and on behalf of 70+ member businesses who do energy efficiency work in PA and NJ, we’re sending a clear message to the legislature and the Governor: RGGI is a non-negotiable tool for cutting energy costs, not a bargaining chip.
RGGI is a “cap and invest” carbon trading agreement covering ten Mid-Atlantic states (and DC). Participating states cap and then trade annual greenhouse gas emissions, and use proceeds from emission allowance sales to invest in energy infrastructure, weatherization, workforce development, direct energy bill assistance, and other programs. The long-term economic benefits of these investments are immense: a 2023 analysis found that RGGI participation would save Pennsylvanians $1.5 billion in energy costs and reduce residential energy bills. Another estimated that RGGI participation would result in a net increase of 30,000 jobs across the State, many of them in the energy efficiency industry.
As Pennsylvania faces skyrocketing PJM energy prices and the loss of federally funded tools for cutting energy costs, common-sense energy policy remains more important than ever. RGGI participation is one of those common-sense, high-benefit policies, for both our energy efficiency industry members and the Commonwealth at large. We urge our legislators and our Governor to reject any Budget proposal that sacrifices PA’s RGGI participation.
HOW TO SPEAK UP:
Are you a business or individual who cares about cutting consumer energy costs and growing our state’s energy efficiency industry? Contact your PA House and Senate representative and Governor Shapiro’s office to demand protection for RGGI.
If you’re in the Philadelphia area, you can RSVP here to a November 6, 10 am rally supporting RGGI at City Hall.