Mission Statement

The Commonwealth Foundation promotes market-driven solutions for energy policy that will benefit all Pennsylvanians. These policies must prioritize reliability, affordability, fairness, competition, and innovation, paving the way for Pennsylvania to embrace all its energy resources and unlock its full economic potential.

Check out our full energy platform

Education

Pa. Tracking Poll: Biden Faces Political Headwinds on Eve of Pa. Visit

  • December 7, 2023

Harrisburg, Pa., December 7, 2023 – As President Biden prepares for his ninth visit to Pennsylvania in 2023—his most-visited state aside from Delaware, his home state—he is struggling to connect with…

Press Release

Read More: Pa. Tracking Poll: Biden Faces Political Headwinds on Eve of Pa. Visit

Energy

Commonwealth Foundation Condemns Gov. Shapiro’s Appeal of Unconstitutional RGGI

  • November 21, 2023

Harrisburg, Pa., November 21, 2023 – Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced his administration would appeal the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s recent ruling that struck down the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The Commonwealth…

Press Release

Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Condemns Gov. Shapiro’s Appeal of Unconstitutional RGGI

Education

Pennsylvania exports a lot — especially bad political leadership

  • Erik Telford
  • November 15, 2023

Originally published at Broad + Liberty As the nation’s sixth-largest manufacturing state, Pennsylvania exports a lot of things — from food and pharma to energy and defense. Unfortunately, as…

Media Hit

Read More: Pennsylvania exports a lot — especially bad political leadership

Energy

RGGI’s downfall gives Shapiro a unique opportunity to create an energy policy that benefits the economy and environment

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 14, 2023

Originally published in The Morning Call The Commonwealth Court’s long-awaited decision against entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative gives Gov. Josh Shapiro an incredible opportunity. RGGI, a debacle Shapiro…

Media Hit

Read More: RGGI’s downfall gives Shapiro a unique opportunity to create an energy policy that benefits the economy and environment

Energy

Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Appellate Court Decision to Strike Down RGGI

  • November 1, 2023

Harrisburg, Pa., November 1, 2023 — Commonwealth Foundation applauds the Commonwealth Court’s decision today to halt Pennsylvania’s entrance into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The appellate court rightly ruled that entry…

Press Release

Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Applauds Appellate Court Decision to Strike Down RGGI

Energy

Electric vehicles are not without environmental consequences

  • Jennifer Stefano
  • September 25, 2023

Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer Pennsylvania is the country’s third-largest producer of electricity, behind only Texas and Florida. The bulk of our state’s energy…

Media Hit

Read More: Electric vehicles are not without environmental consequences

Energy

Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Mandates in Pennsylvania

  • Gordon Tomb
  • August 24, 2023

Key Points Studies show adopting Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) criteria is not associated with better labor or environmental regulatory compliance. Emerging studies show ESG criteria are associated with lower…

Backgrounder

Read More: Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Mandates in Pennsylvania

Energy

Governor Josh Shapiro’s Wrong Approach to Grid Reliability

  • Gordon Tomb
  • August 22, 2023

Originally published at RealClearEnergy Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has asked regional power grid operators to enhance the electricity system’s dependability—and he’s got ideas about how to do it. But his…

Media Hit

Read More: Governor Josh Shapiro’s Wrong Approach to Grid Reliability

Energy

Environmental Bootleggers and Baptists Fleece Consumers

  • Gordon Tomb
  • April 24, 2023

Originally published at RealClearEnergy The “Bootleggers and Baptists” of Pennsylvania’s energy markets cost consumers and taxpayers billions while undermining the state’s economy and power grid.   Bruce Yandle, an economist, …

Commentary

Read More: Environmental Bootleggers and Baptists Fleece Consumers

Energy

Save the Homer City power plant

  • Gordon Tomb
  • April 22, 2023

Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette During his campaign, Gov. Josh Shapiro expressed concern over a new carbon tax initiated by his predecessor, Tom Wolf, noting the impact on…

Commentary

Read More: Save the Homer City power plant

Education

Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll Findings

  • Jennifer Stefano
  • April 6, 2023

Summary The Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll, conducted March 24-29, is the first in a series of quarterly surveys taking the pulse of voters on the “state of the…

Memo

Read More: Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll Findings

Energy

Key Takeaways from Gov. Shapiro’s 2023 Budget Address

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 7, 2023

Profligacy Exacerbates Budget Deficit  Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget calls for $45.9 billion in ongoing General Fund spending and $43 billion in net state revenues (after refunds). Thus, Pennsylvania has…

Report

Read More: Key Takeaways from Gov. Shapiro’s 2023 Budget Address