Gov. Tom Wolf used executive action to instruct the state’s Department of Environmental Protection to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in an effort to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, but some lawmakers are heated up about it. Pennsylvania makes the 10th Northeastern state to join the RGGI, which seeks to cap and reduce power sector carbon dioxide emissions.

“Climate change is the most critical environmental threat confronting the world, and power generation is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions,” Wolf said in a news release. “Given the urgency of the climate crisis facing Pennsylvania and the entire planet, the commonwealth must continue to take concrete, economically sound and immediate steps to reduce emissions. Joining RGGI will give us that opportunity to better protect the health and safety of our

The release from Wolf’s office notes the RGGI states have reduced power sector carbon dioxide pollution by 45 percent since 2005, while the region’s economy has continued to grow.

The release notes that the state has experienced an increase in annual average temperature and precipitation of 10 percent over the past century, and flooding events resulting from those increases have cost residents an estimated $144 million in damages.

“We are seeing the immediate and devastating impact of climate change right here in Pennsylvania, with more intense rainstorms leading to flooding occurring outside flood zones, and dry conditions that can increase the threat of fire in our wooded areas,” said Randy Padfield, director of the state’s Emergency Management Agency.

But state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, who is the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chairman, issued a scathing news release of his own Thursday, denouncing Wolf’s decision to “illegally implement the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative without legislative approval.”

Metcalfe contends that Wolf exceeded the authority of the executive branch when he bypassed the General Assembly’s approval of the move.

He said the governor repeatedly noted during news conferences that he is “pretty sure” he has the authority to issue an executive order to join the RGGI, Metcalfe said.

“His half-hearted answer demonstrates clearly that he knows he has exceeded his authority once again to the detriment of Pennsylvanians across the state who will be paying higher energy costs due to this irresponsible action,” Metcalfe said.

State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, issued a statement Thursday that echoed Metcalfe’s sentiments regarding Wolf’s action.

“The executive branch cannot unilaterally bind Pennsylvania into multistate agreements without the approval of the people’s representatives in the General Assembly,” Mustello said in the statement. “The legislature must have the opportunity to debate RGGI to determine what is best for all regions of our commonwealth.”

She said the requirement in RGGI that says power companies must pay for allowable emissions is a form of double taxation upon an industry that provides tax revenue, jobs and low energy costs.