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The Pennsylvania state Capitol is seen in this file photo. (Tom Downing/WITF)
This story originally appeared on StateImpact Pennsylvania.
Natural gas and coal boosters across Pennsylvania logged on to video meetings Wednesday and told Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature that: Yes, there is a bright future for fossil fuels.
The two hearings on the same day underlined a couple of divides.
One was between policymakers and scientists who say we must move to low- and no-carbon power sources to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
Another was between members of a party that says it wants to tackle climate change.
March 1, 2021
The Democratic party has been pushing to make climate change initiatives a priority as President Joe Biden supports green policy. However, the party is divided over how to transition to this greener future.
Recent hearings during a “21st Century Energy Jobs” event argued that there is a bright future for fossil fuels, NPR reports.
For example, Zach Smith, external affairs manager for CONSOL Energy, outlined for the House Democratic Policy Committee a new vision of coal, arguing that “this is not your grandpa’s coal company.” His remarks come despite the gradual displacement of coal by natural gas over past decade.