FIRST ON FOX: Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, reportedly a potential vice-presidential candidate for presumptive nominee Kamala Harris, applied for a program funded by Michael Bloomberg aimed at appointing specialized climate prosecutors to pursue actions against the energy sector within the state.
During Trump’s presidency, the Wall Street Journal indicated that climate activists were placing individuals in Attorney General offices under questionable public-private partnerships, shedding light on a “remarkable arrangement” crafted by NYU Law School’s State Energy and Environmental Impact Center.
This initiative was initiated in 2017, backed by a $6 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to “promote a progressive climate and energy agenda.”
The program is fully legal and has integrated Bloomberg-funded lawyers in various jurisdictions, including Connecticut, Illinois, New Mexico, and Washington, D.C., where their focus is on climate-related issues and litigating against oil and gas companies.
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AG Josh Shapiro applied in 2018 for a program to fund a Bloomberg-supported prosecutor tasked with litigating against oil and gas firms.
“The State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at NYU Law strengthens the work of state attorneys general in upholding and promoting robust climate laws and environmental justice,” states the program’s website.
In his 2018 program application, Shapiro’s office mentioned that Pennsylvania’s energy generation heavily relies on coal, providing a unique opportunity for significant progressive environmental legal change “from within.”
“In contrast to other states, having Pennsylvania’s coal-dependent and Marcellus Shale gas-producing platform means that an environmental advocate like Attorney General Josh Shapiro brings considerably greater influence,” his office added.
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Josh Shapiro delivers remarks at his inauguration as Governor of Pennsylvania on January 17, 2023, at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, after defeating Republican Doug Mastriano by nearly 15 percent in the November election. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)
“State attorneys general must specify their particular needs regarding the advancement and defense of clean energy and environmental matters,” states the application prompt. “Key details should include how funding limitations have affected their ability to tackle these issues and how extra support could further their work on behalf of the constituents.”
“Those who can demonstrate a commitment to and a pressing need for support in clean energy, climate change, and environmental issues of significant local or national importance will receive priority consideration,” the criteria asserts.
Shapiro’s office indicated that he requires more “financial resources” to maintain leadership in “progressive” climate initiatives.
“Leadership in this sphere necessitates adequate economic backing. Previous Pennsylvania attorneys general have not prioritized environmental initiatives due to the state’s unique position,” Shapiro stated.
“Consequently, the environmental division that Attorney General Shapiro inherited was considerably smaller than those found in states led by other environmental advocates. As a result, approving Pennsylvania’s application would be especially critical, allowing the AG’s office to join other states in litigations against the Trump Administration’s attempts to diminish environmental regulations, while enabling proactive measures as a leading plaintiff in future actions.”
A representative from the State Impact Center confirmed to Fox News Digital that Shapiro applied but was denied, adding they don’t have a record of why the application was not pursued.
“To clarify how the State Impact Center’s SAAG program operates: it enhances the capacity of attorneys general, supplying them with extra resources to use at their discretion,” the representative explained. “Attorneys general manage the work of the SAAGs, whose loyalty is solely to the office they serve.”
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Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (L) engage with the media during a visit to the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia on July 13, 2024. (Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images)
Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Guy Reschenthaler criticized Shapiro for recruiting a “Bloomberg-funded, unaccountable prosecutor whose sole purpose is to target the energy sector and job creators within Pennsylvania.”
“Pennsylvania ranks second in natural gas production, third in coal, and third in electricity generation. It’s fair to say our state is vital to national energy. However, local Democrats, led by Governor Shapiro and Vice President Harris, continuously challenge our energy sector and the 130,000 high-quality, union jobs it provides. Vice President Harris has articulated, ‘There’s no question I’m in favor of banning fracking.’
Reschenthaler emphasized, “Our communities rely on regaining American energy independence and must resist any attempts from extreme leftist influences that threaten their livelihoods with a Green New Deal agenda.”
The Wall Street Journal noted “ethical issues” associated with SAAGs are clear.
“This raises significant ethical considerations regarding who is steering our government,” stated West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, one of the few Republican attorneys general voicing concerns over the Bloomberg-supported initiative back in 2020.
Drilling site for shale gas in St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
“When placing someone in office with a specific agenda for pay, it creates questions about conflicting loyalties within an attorney general’s office, which is concerning.”
Shapiro, who is said to have recently met with VP Harris as her search for a running mate solidifies, has been labeled a “moderate” and “practical” since assuming the governorship. He is also known to have found a “middle ground” on issues affecting numerous energy workers in the state, though past comments may pose a risk to him.
Bloomberg has consistently made his climate change views known, advocating for the closure of coal-fired power plants and phasing out gas plants.
Washington-based attorney Chris Horner, who has collaborated with Energy Policy Advocates on public records requests regarding the State Impact Center’s efforts, argues the group’s self-identified status as “nonpartisan” is merely a facade to facilitate the pursuit of ideologically driven, “progressive” objectives through SAAGs, which he brandishes as “mercenaries.”
“Nonpartisan, in that you merely need to commit to deploying these mercenaries to push ‘progressive’ climate legal strategies,” he remarked. “So, partisan? Absolutely not. Just ideological.”
Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, speaks at the announcement of the COP28 Local Climate Action Summit at COP28 in Dubai, alongside local leaders, on September 19, 2023, in New York City. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bloomberg Philanthropies)
Presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has previously advocated for a fracking ban, a key component of Pennsylvania’s energy and job market, but has recently amended her position as she becomes the presumptive nominee.
Dan Weaver, president and executive director of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association, told Fox News Digital that his organization “believes that elected officials expressing concerns regarding oil and natural gas development, even advocating for a complete ban on hydraulic fracturing in the U.S., gain a clearer understanding of the significance of these energy resources to our country when confronted with accurate information from unbiased sources rather than emotional campaign rhetoric.”
“The evidence is straightforward: natural gas accounts for over one-third of our nation’s electricity, and there is no feasible or cost-effective alternative to satisfy the escalating energy demands from consumers, particularly with the anticipated growth from data centers and overall economic expansion,” he stated.
Governor Josh Shapiro participating in the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony during Wawa Welcome America on July 4, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
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“American-produced oil refined into gasoline and diesel within the U.S. currently powers 98 percent of our vehicle fleet, a trend expected to persist for years to come, making the importation of oil from abroad costly and unpredictable. Moreover, with over 6,000 consumer, medical, and transportation-related products that rely on oil and natural gas, their importance in sustaining a modern society cannot be minimized by mere slogans about ‘banning fracking.’”
Weaver added, “PIOGA believes that Gov. Shapiro, similar to Senator John Fetterman and Vice President Kamala Harris, among many others, will recognize the essential role of oil and natural gas in our nation when presented with factual information.”
Fox News Digital contacted Shapiro’s office for a statement but did not receive a response.
Fox News Digital’s Tyler Olson contributed to this report.
