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Josephs: House passes global warming bill

Vote one of first to directly address global warming

HARRISBURG, Nov. 1– The state House of Representatives has passed a measure co-sponsored by Rep. Babette Josephs that would require Pennsylvania to take action on measuring and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. This is the first-ever bill advanced by the legislature directly addressing global warming.

Since Pennsylvania is responsible for producing a full 1 percent of the entire world's greenhouse gases, Josephs said this proposal would lay the groundwork necessary for a plan to address the issue.

"With all of the discussion on protecting our environment and the warnings about global warming, it's important that we develop a solution to the problem and work to reduce greenhouse gases," Josephs said.

The bill (H.B. 110) would require the state to take a broad look at the issue of global warming by doing the following: inventory the greenhouse gas emissions of various economic sectors in the state, create a voluntary greenhouse gas registry, develop and publish a global warming impact statement for Pennsylvania, and develop an action plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

The bill also would provide state officials with a more complete picture of greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector. If the bill is enacted, Pennsylvania would be the 23rd state to establish a climate change action plan.

The measure also would establish a voluntary greenhouse gas registry that would allow the Commonwealth to recognize companies that are already acting to limit their greenhouse gas emissions.

Josephs said it is important for the state to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Leading scientists have warned that the earth's greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by 50 percent to 80 percent by 2050 to keep the impact of global warming at a manageable level.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.