电价上涨怪“控碳”？美国滨州放弃区域碳交易市场

Core Viewpoint - Pennsylvania has officially decided to exit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) due to soaring electricity prices and increased demand from data centers, marking a significant shift in the state's energy policy [1][2]. Group 1: Policy Changes - Governor Josh Shapiro signed a bill on November 13, authorizing Pennsylvania's exit from RGGI, which reverses the previous administration's decision to join the initiative in 2019 [1]. - The exit is seen as a response to the worsening electricity price crisis in the region, where RGGI's carbon pricing structure has imposed penalties on the state's energy sector, particularly natural gas and coal plants [1]. Group 2: Economic Implications - The carbon pricing mechanism of RGGI has led to increased wholesale electricity prices, resulting in higher electricity bills for both businesses and households [1]. - The rapid expansion of high-energy-consuming industries, such as AI data centers, has further exacerbated the supply-demand imbalance and price pressures in the electricity market [1]. Group 3: Political Context - Republican senators in Pennsylvania have long opposed RGGI, arguing that it places an excessive burden on traditional power plants, which are vital to the state's grid and industrial economy [1]. - Concerns from independent grid operators and state regulators suggest that participation in RGGI could force coal and gas plants to close prematurely, weakening grid resilience and increasing the risk of power shortages [1]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Governor Shapiro expressed intentions to promote job creation in the energy sector, integrate more clean energy into the grid, and lower energy costs for all Pennsylvania residents following the exit from RGGI [2]. - The decision has raised market speculation about whether other neighboring states facing similar electricity price pressures will follow Pennsylvania's lead [2].