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PA HB503
Bill
Status
4/23/2025
Primary Sponsor
Aerion Abney
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AI Summary
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Establishes the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Program (PACER), a state-run cap-and-invest CO2 budget trading program for the power sector, prohibiting Pennsylvania from joining other carbon auction programs like RGGI without General Assembly authorization
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Allocates auction proceeds across four accounts: 70% to Consumer Protection Account for direct electric bill credits to ratepayers, 10% to Pennsylvania Energy Transformation Account for pollution reduction grants, 10% to Workforce Enhancement Fund for energy projects, and remaining balance to Low-Income Support Account for heating/cooling assistance
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Requires at least 40% of funds from both the Energy Transformation Account and Workforce Enhancement Fund to be directed to projects in environmental justice areas
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Creates a 13-member Workforce Enhancement Fund Board including gubernatorial appointees (four from Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council recommendations), cabinet secretaries, and legislative appointees to administer grants for projects including small modular reactors, carbon capture, clean hydrogen, and solar installations
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Mandates the Department of Environmental Protection review the existing CO2 base budget within 120 days, consulting with labor, consumer advocates, environmental groups, and industry stakeholders to assess impacts on jobs, consumers, and the environment
Legislative Description
Establishing the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Program; imposing powers and duties on the Environmental Quality Board, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection; and establishing the Consumer Protection Account, the Pennsylvania Energy Transformation Account, the Workforce Enhancement Fund, the Workforce Enhancement Fund Board and the Low-income Support Account.
Last Action
Referred to Energy
4/23/2025