Harrisburg, PA – Earlier this week, Governor Josh Shapiro joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan, union labor, environmental advocates, and leaders from across the energy industry to announce that Pennsylvania has secured $396 million to create jobs and tackle industrial pollution to help build healthier communities and a stronger economy in Pennsylvania.
Using this historic investment, the Shapiro Administration create the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) program, which will help Pennsylvania companies lower climate emissions while creating good-paying jobs and supporting Pennsylvania’s economy. RISE PA could reduce 5.2 million tons of carbon by 2050 – or about 10% of Pennsylvania’s annual industrial emissions.
Read what elected officials and community leaders are saying about this massive investment to create jobs and reduce pollution across the Commonwealth:
- Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato: “By helping the industry decarbonize, reducing their emissions and reducing pollution and becoming more energy efficient, we are going to invest in businesses that are here, create good jobs and improve air quality. It’s a win, win, win across the board. This investment, it's going to make sure that we are investing in the businesses and the people that are here so we can improve air quality. We can keep businesses here. We can create family sustaining jobs and invest in communities that had been left behind for too long to ensure that everyone can thrive.”
- Joanne Kilgour, Executive Director of the Ohio River Valley Institute (ORVI): “Clean Power PA is thrilled, but not surprised, that the EPA has recognized the vast potential to cut harmful pollution and create new jobs in Pennsylvania’s ‘Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania’ (RISE PA) program, and that our state has been entrusted with this major grant to get that job done. With this federal investment, combined with the stellar leadership of the Shapiro administration and our many partners, Pennsylvania industry is primed to cut up to 5.3 million metric tons of carbon pollution by 2030 while creating thousands of new jobs. And not just any jobs, but solid, family-sustaining union jobs that pay, at a minimum, the local prevailing wage and that will prioritize local hires and apprenticeships. RISE PA will also focus on projects that improve the health of communities in close proximity to industrial pollution, which tend to suffer from increased rates of asthma, heart disease, and other illnesses.”
- Patrick McDonnell, President and CEO of PennFuture: "Ambitious climate goals must involve and empower local residents and organizations to take action on greenhouse gas-reducing projects, and we are proud to see that the EPA and Governor Shapiro recognize this. The RISE PA program will harness grassroots innovation and commitment to implementing sustainable practices. By fostering collaboration and collective action, Pennsylvania communities can significantly reduce carbon emissions while creating jobs and economic resilience."
- Darrin Kelly, President of PA AFL-CIO: “Pollution can no longer be our legacy, and this RISE PA program in partnership with the EPA, guarantees it. This right here finally puts to bed the issue that we’ve always talked about, the “you can’t have both.” Yes you can. We now have programs that say we’re here to stand behind you, we’re here to put the money into your region.”
- Tom Schuster, Pennsylvania Sierra Club Chapter Director: “These historic investments in Pennsylvania will allow the commonwealth to begin the critical work of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, which is one of the largest emitters in the state. Investments in energy efficiency, fuel switching, and other improvements can reap significant climate benefits while creating good jobs and putting more people to work. This is a win for our environment and our economy.”
- John Carlson, Senior Northeast Regional Policy Manager at Clean Air Task Force: “Pennsylvania has been a leader of American industry since the first steel mill opened in 1866, and with today’s award, it will carry that legacy forward with groundbreaking industrial decarbonization projects across the commonwealth. We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside state leaders ensuring Pennsylvania continues its leadership in energy, technology, and a strong domestic workforce.”
- Lori Brennan, Executive Director of the Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania: “The RISE PA program, strongly supported by The Nature Conservancy, aims to significantly reduce harmful industrial emissions in Pennsylvania. This approach involves investing in innovative low-carbon industrial materials, improving efficiency and technologies, and supporting communities, workforce, and training. Pennsylvania's receipt of the EPA's award solidifies its position as a leading state in implementing crucial carbon reduction strategies that benefit both nature and people.”
- Julia Kortrey, Evergreen Action Deputy State Policy Director: “Pennsylvania’s RISE PA program has the potential to be a nation-leading game changer for decarbonizing the industrial sector. This CPRG award to Pennsylvania recognizes the promise of this program to deliver bold state leadership that reinvigorates American industry, creates jobs, and tackles the climate crisis.”
- Robert Routh, Pennsylvania Policy Director, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): “Thanks to the remarkable leadership of Governor Shapiro and the Biden-Harris administration, Pennsylvania is poised for historic progress. The Commonwealth's industrial sector is its leading source of climate pollution, which is why EPA’s unprecedented award of nearly $400 million in CPRG funds will be so critical to reducing emissions. Pennsylvania’s proposed RISE PA program will grow clean energy jobs and deliver real community benefits while incorporating high labor standards and job quality. Moving forward, implementation is going to be key to delivering results.”
- Jeaneen Zappa, Executive Director of the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance: “Energy efficiency provides a critical pillar of decarbonization in Pennsylvania, and our industrial sector represents one of the most challenging hurdles -- as well as a tantalizing opportunity, given the Commonwealth's significant industrial economic activity. Manufacturing represents more than $113 billion in state domestic product and a third of the greenhouse gas emissions. We are thrilled to see the CPRG award drive us toward a cleaner and even more robust industrial sector.”
- John Walliser, Senior VP, Legal & Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC): “Today’s announcement is a landmark moment for our state. The industrial sector accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in our Commonwealth; but that in turn represents the greatest opportunity in the clean energy transition. PEC appreciates the tremendous work of the Shapiro Administration and Department of Environmental Protection in developing the RISE PA Program and pursuing this ground-breaking investment – nearly $400 million – in Pennsylvania’s environment and economy. We also thank the Biden-Harris Administration and Environmental Protection Agency for its stewardship of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program. Strong communities, a healthy environment, and a robust and innovative economy can work hand in hand in the clean energy transition; the RISE PA Program will be a cornerstone in making that happen.”
- Conservation Voters of PA: We agree 100% @GovernorShapiro!! Thank you for standing behind Pennsylvania's #CleanEnergy future, with the support of this @EPA funding. [07/22/24]
- Matt Smith, Allegheny Conference Chief Growth Officer: Critical investment & one where the #Pittsburgh region will see huge positive impact. [07/22/24]
See what Pennsylvanians are reading about RISE PA and the historic investment secured by the Shapiro Administration:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania gets nearly $400 million for industrial decarbonization
WESA: Pa. Gets $400M From EPA To Lower Carbon Emissions From Industries
Associated Press: EPA awards $4.3 billion to fund projects in 30 states to reduce climate pollution
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