Pennsylvania Lawmaker Introduces Regressive Bill to Prop Up Nuclear Power

Harrisburg, P.A. – State Representative Thomas Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) today introduced legislation to add nuclear power to the Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS). The legislation fails to set limits on carbon pollution or raise renewable energy targets – nor does it require nuclear plants to make a showing of financial distress or narrowly tailor its support mechanisms to protect consumers. In short, the bill fails to put Pennsylvania on track for a transition to a clean energy economy. 

A statement follows from Mark Szybist, Senior Attorney for Climate and Clean Energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“This bill is nothing more than a windfall for aging, uneconomical nuclear power plants. It fails to limit carbon pollution or advance commonsense energy policy that transitions Pennsylvania away from nuclear power and dirty fossil fuels to renewable sources and energy efficiency. Moving this myopic bill forward would be a reckless failure of leadership, hinder meaningful job creation, and squander the opportunity to put Pennsylvania on track toward a clean energy future.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​