Regarding the editorial “Rising electric bills leave Pennsylvanians powerless” (May 7, TribLive): Gov. Josh Shapiro is trying to deflect blame for high energy prices, blaming “corporate greed” and pointing fingers at everyone but the true culprits. In reality, bad government policy is to blame for rising electricity prices.
As a result of energy taxes, state and federal mandates, and excessive regulation, we’ve seen power plants here in Pennsylvania and across our region closed. As a result, we produce less electricity when demand has increased. It’s basic economics: Less electricity and a greater need for it increase prices and destabilize the grid.
Unfortunately, Shapiro wants more of the same. For six years, Pennsylvania flirted with joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which resulting in the loss of more than $5 billion in energy investment, according to research by the Commonwealth Foundation.
Yet Shapiro continues to push radical Green New Deal-styled policies through his Lightning Plan. This includes both a new energy tax and new mandates for unreliable and expensive energy sources. In total, Shapiro’s proposals would add $157 billion in additional costs over 10 years, doubling residential electric bills.
Instead of doubling down on the policies driving electric rates through the roof, Pennsylvania needs to unleash our energy potential.
Nathan Benefield
Harrisburg
The writer is chief policy officer for the Commonwealth Foundation.