Last week’s votes mark a shift in attitude from last year, when none of the committees voted to recommend the draft rule.

Wolf’s candidate is leading the administration’s effort to have the state join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative which Republican lawmakers oppose.

The move is one of several attempts by lawmakers to prevent the state joining the program through regulation.

The move shocked some environmental and consumer protection groups, who say Republicans are holding the Public Utility Commission hostage over an unrelated policy decision.

Environmental groups are encouraged by Wolf’s proposal, given the economic fall-out of COVID-19.

Environmental groups claim there’s overwhelming support for the rule, which they say will be a big step in addressing climate change.

DEP released a draft plan to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in February. Republicans and industry groups pushed back.

Comments can be submitted until Jan. 14, 2021.

Wolf said letting the bill become law would “effectively deny that climate change is an urgent problem that demands prudent solutions.”

The Environmental Quality Board voted Tuesday to approve a draft regulation that would have Pennsylvania join RGGI. It next goes up for public comment.