Updates
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Updates will appear here as the strategy progresses.
Preempt or neutralize legislative opposition by education and, if needed, negotiation.
Reduce the odds that legislative opponents derail the rulemaking through misinformation, riders, or procedural delays. This strategy focuses on targeted education and selective negotiation that addresses legitimate concerns—like infrastructure readiness—without gutting the rule. The goal is to keep the DEP process moving while preventing loopholes that would undermine effectiveness.
Why this works
- Quietly work with moderate Republicans or those representing districts with air quality issues to find common ground.
- Perhaps there’s room for complementary legislation that helps constituents – e.g.
- a bill to provide tax credits for Pennsylvania trucking companies purchasing ZEVs, which could be a sweetener that gives hesitant legislators something positive to vote for even as DEP moves forward.
- By informing legislators of the economic findings (like PA missing out on $24.9B by 2050 if it doesn’t adopt ACT), some may soften.
- Ensuring key committee chairs get briefed by industry supporters (like local manufacturers who see benefit) might reduce fervor for blocking the rule.
The Sierra Club, founded in 1892 by John Muir, is one of the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organizations in the U.S. With chapters in every state, the Sierra Club engages in a range of activities to protect the environment: it lobbies for strong environmental legislation (from climate action to wildlife protection), runs grassroots campaigns to move beyond fossil fuels, leads outdoor outings to connect people with nature, and occasionally takes legal action to enforce environmental laws. The Sierra Club also has an active political program endorsing and campaigning for pro-environment candidates through its PAC.
Mechanism
How Sierra Club uses funding
- Map the sources of opposition and identify lawmakers who are persuadable with credible information.
- Brief legislators using business support and health and economic analysis already in the public record.
- Develop complementary policy options that address concerns without weakening the rule’s core.
- Monitor budget and oversight processes for riders or procedural threats and respond quickly.
- Negotiate only where it prevents derailment, while keeping clear guard rails against loopholes.
- Coordinate with the governor’s messaging and coalition work so engagement is consistent and reinforcing.
Partner notes
Partner notes coming soon.