From Real Clear Energy’s Kevin Mooney, March 18, 2024:

Is Gov. Shapiro’s Pivot Toward Energy Taxes in Pennsylvania Driving Trade Unions to GOP?

Unless Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania reverses course and abandons his effort to keep proposed energy taxes in play, he could lose the support of trade unions that have contributed to his campaigns.

That much has been made clear by union leaders who see a potential political realignment at work that could redound to the benefit of elected officials who have resisted what they view as unconstitutional executive actions impacting the energy industry.

Shapiro, a Democrat, and a former state attorney general, was elected governor in 2022. During his campaign, Shapiro drew significant support from labor unions, according to campaign finance records. But the governor’s recent pivot in the direction of new regulations that would likely shutter power plants has motivated some labor leaders to reconsider their prior support.

…

Gordon Tomb, a senior fellow with The Commonwealth Foundation, a free market think tank, detects a growing awareness among “working people” that green schemes jeopardize their jobs and financial well-being.

“Pennsylvania’s economy suffers because of irrational environmental policies advocated by extremists who do not know — or choose to ignore — that a healthy energy industry is necessary for prosperity,” he said. “Politicians who embrace such policies risk losing support of working people and anybody with common sense.”

The complete article can be accessed here.