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. “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 citizens.”

This is an excerpt — subscribe online or in print to read the full article and find out what two local representatives had to say about the move by Gov. Wolf.