Team Pennsylvania and Clean Air Task Force convene leaders to discuss challenges, opportunities of industrial decarbonization
Featured speakers from U.S. Department of Energy, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection provide policy briefing on the current regulatory landscape
PITTSBURGH, PA – More than 100 leaders from business, industry, labor, higher education and nonprofit organizations convened today for a roundtable on industrial decarbonization, held by Team PA and Clean Air Task Force (CATF) at the Energy Innovation Center in downtown Pittsburgh. The forum included keynotes by senior leaders from the United States Department of Energy and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, who provided an update on Pennsylvania’s implementation of $400 million in federal investment to address pollution from small, medium, and large industrial facilities through the RISE PA grant program. Executives from private industry also discussed the challenges and opportunities in reducing industrial emissions.
“We’re making real progress on the ground. For greater Pittsburgh and the state of Pennsylvania where traditional manufacturing has played such an important historic role, there is greater comfort with this type of development and a broader appreciation of the need for the energy transition to work for everyone,” said Assistant Secretary Brad Crabtree for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management at DOE. “Now, with the path forward much clearer than in the past, and our policy tools much more robust and comprehensive than before, Pennsylvania has the potential to lead our nation’s industrial decarbonization agenda to the benefit of our climate and the region’s economy, workers and communities.”
“Reducing emissions from the industrial sector is critical to achieve state and national climate goals, drive economic and job growth, and improve public health for communities. As one of the largest energy producers in the country with a legacy of driving American industry forward, Pennsylvania is well positioned to lead in the clean energy transition,” said John Carlson, Senior Northeast Regional Policy Manager at CATF. “We look forward to continuing our work together to expand the clean energy portfolio in the state to reduce emissions and bolster the energy workforce in Pennsylvania.”
“Industrial decarbonization is not a solo activity. As an organization focused on collaboration, we are honored to convene so many tremendous leaders this week in Pittsburgh,” Abby Smith, President & CEO of Team PA, said. “Creating economic opportunity across all of Pennsylvania while advancing sustainability and industrial decarbonization will require all of us to work together outside the political fray, where policymakers hear from those who are on the ground building Pennsylvania’s economy and where leaders from across the state’s industries learn from one other.”
“Pennsylvania was one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution, and now, through RISE PA, we have the opportunity to lead the nation in the industrial decarbonization movement,” said Louie Krak, director of PA DEP’s Infrastructure Implementation program.
Press Contacts:
Kevin Sunday, Team PA, [email protected], (717) 487-3571
Samantha Sadowski, CATF, [email protected], (202) 440-1717
U.S. Department of Energy, [email protected]
