Pennsylvania occupies a unique nexus in the nation’s ongoing transition from dirty to cleaner power generation.

Market forces created by the massive Marcellus Shale gas field are driving a shift from coal-powered to gas-powered electricity generation. The proposed Invenergy plant in Jessup is just one of four big gas-power projects in the state, and utilities generally are moving away from coal whenever possible.

The state also is an enormous potential source of wind-generated power because of the consistent wind along Appalachian ridges, although renewable growth slowed over the last four years because of Corbett administration policy favoring fossil fuels such as coal and gas.

Meanwhile, the state remains a major producer and consumer of coal. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the state is fourth nationally in coal production and 36.1 percent of its power generation was coal-fueled in 2014.

And, because of its geography, the state is downwind from the environmental fallout from even more coal-fired power production.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court found that the Environmental Protection Agency had not adequately considered cost in formulating new clean power plant rules.

Pennsylvania will benefit from strong rules because of its shift to gas and renewed interest in renewables under the Wolf administration. The state government should embrace the drive for cleaner air, which already is under way in the marketplace, and which will benefit Pennsylvania environmentally and economically.

— The (Scranton) Times-Tribune