In response to President Trump’s Executive Order on climate change and energy, Acting Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell Tuesday issued this statement--

“The changing climate is the most significant environmental threat facing the world, and emissions from the United States are a significant cause.

“Pennsylvania has already experienced a long-term warming of nearly two degrees over the past century, and this trend is expected to accelerate.

“Today’s Executive Order from President Trump is disappointing because it signals a shift away from addressing the very real problem of climate change. 

“Pennsylvania is already seeing the effects of climate change on our economy and our environment as higher monthly average temperatures, more extreme storm events, and other signs of climate change are already being observed in the state.

“Ignoring the problem will only make conditions worse for our communities and economy and environment in the future.

“As a state, Pennsylvania has already seen a decrease in carbon emissions from power plants in part to the shift to cleaner forms of energy, such as natural gas and the focus on energy efficiency.

“Despite the President’s action, the Department of Environmental Protection will continue to pursue ways to reduce our state’s greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, because it is a problem that faces us all today.”

DEP offered these links for more information--

-- Climate Change Action Plan

-- Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment Report

-- Letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt

-- Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing

NewsClips:

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Trump Climate/Coal Order Evokes Praise, Skepticism From PA Reps

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[Posted: March 29, 2017]

4/3/2017