Gov. Josh Shapiro’s energy taxes won’t work. How do we know? The proof is right in front of you. Look at your energy bills. Talk to any Pennsylvanian. Unaffordable energy is a kitchen table topic for Pennsylvania households and a conference table topic for Pennsylvania businesses. And if you think your electricity bills are high now, look at the prices of electricity in Maryland and New Jersey, where those energy taxes already exist.
Not only would Shapiro’s proposed energy taxes unfairly raise the price of monthly bills at a time when bills are already too high, but they would also destabilize our electric grid.
What does that mean?
That means if we do not change course and unleash Pennsylvania’s energy potential, one day, there won’t be enough electricity flowing through our power lines.
What does that mean for you?
You will continue to pay more for your electric bill and get less out of it.
The electric grid must constantly balance how much electricity is being produced with how much electricity is being used. Right now, as warned by PJM Interconnection, the organization that controls the flow of electricity, the future demand for electricity is higher than the supply. The retirement of reliable power plants and the influx of data centers exacerbate the demand. PJM is the regional transmission organization that oversees the safety, reliability and security of the electric power system for 13 states, including Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. Consider its warnings as fuel added to the “why Shapiro’s energy taxes don’t work” fire.
There is good news to bring to light, though.
Pennsylvania is at the forefront of America’s energy production, generating power not only for our state but for millions across the country. Our state is the third largest producer of electricity, exporting more electricity than we consume. And we have reduced our carbon emissions by 44% over the last 20 years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
In short, Pennsylvania powers the East Coast — all while significantly reducing our carbon footprint.
Pennsylvania has the resources and workforce to fulfill our electricity needs. Now all we need is for government to get out of the way.
Despite all of these great accomplishments, our energy industry still has so much untapped potential — potential that could help bring your utility bills down. However, that potential will never be realized if the governor’s tax plans are enacted.
So then, Gov. Shapiro, why new energy taxes now? And why grandstand about new energy taxes under the guise of bureaucratic acronyms of false promise — that is, RGGI, PACER, PRESS and most recently, RESET and EDGE under his new lightning plan? Are you trying to keep Pennsylvanians in the dark — literally and figuratively?
Pennsylvanians, you deserve affordable, reliable electricity. We can achieve this with reasonable energy policies.
First, we must stop new energy taxes and implement a cohesive energy policy that puts Pennsylvanians first.
We must encourage reliable and affordable energy production that drives down monthly electric bills for both families and businesses.
We must leverage Pennsylvania’s abundance of energy resources to bring more family-sustaining jobs to every industry, from manufacturing to health care.
We must continue to protect our environment by investing in electricity generation that adheres to environmental safety standards and denounces the exploitation of slave labor.
Affordable, reliable energy is not a luxury, but rather a necessity that every Pennsylvanian deserves. We must stop the governor’s threatening energy taxes and work toward securing an energy future that benefits every Pennsylvanian without leaving families and businesses to bear the burden of higher costs and instability.
The authors are Republicans representing Westmoreland County (Leslie Rossi), Berks/Schuylkill (Barton) and Cameron/McKean/Potter (Causer).