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.

The compromise measure lowers the size of the tax break from more than $1 billion to $670 million over 25 years.

The House voted 130-71 Wednesday to prevent the state joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative through executive action.

The bill would bar the Department of Environmental Protection from taking any action that is designed to control carbon dioxide emissions, including participation in a regional greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program such as RGGI, unless the action is authorized by the General Assembly.  

Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed budget included $5 million to hire more staff at DEP and DCNR.