Clean Power Plan begins cutting carbon pollution today

Environment America

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Clean Power Plan was published in the federal register today, beginning the process of cleaning up America’s dirtiest power plants, the leading source of U.S. global warming pollution. The rule’s publication is widely expected to trigger a new wave of polluter-driven attacks on the rule, both in the courts and in Congress.
 
Anna Aurilio, director of the Washington D.C. office of Environment America, issued the following statement in response:
 
“Global warming is here and its affecting us now. 2015 is almost certain to be the hottest year on record. Extreme storms have caused unusually large floods from South Carolina to Texas. California is still in the middle of a drought that is causing huge losses to agriculture and to the states’ forests. Today North America braces for the landfall of Hurricane Patricia, called the strongest hurricane ever recorded.
 
“To avoid even more frequent and severe climate impacts like Hurricane Patricia, we need the Clean Power Plan to curb our pollution and help the U.S. lead on an international agreement to stem the climate crisis. These carbon pollution limits are broadly supported by the American people, including health professionals, local government officials, and clean energy businesses. No matter how deep the pockets of the polluters or how many lawsuits they or their government allies file, the Clean Power Plan will prevail, and if we’re going to ensure a safer climate for future generations, it must.”
 
BACKGROUND
The American public supports placing real limits on global warming pollution by wide, bipartisan margins. Millions of Americans have called for strong climate action. Health professionals support the plan because it will clean our air and save lives. Local elected officials recognize that the rule is important for the safety of their communities.
 
The solar industry stands ready to help deliver increasingly large amounts of clean electricity. And America is beginning to tap into its offshore wind energy potential, supplementing the massive amount of wind energy we are already capturing, from Washington state to Iowa to Texas. States are making strides every day to reduce the pollution that causes global warming.