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Reaction To Proposed Repeal Of EPA’s Clean Power Climate Plan

Here are some reactions from groups in Pennsylvania to the proposal to repeal the EPA Clean Power Climate Plan--

Clean Air Council

The Clean Air Council Monday released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement that it plans to repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Climate Plan--

“This illegal action is not only an outright attack on clean air, and public health and safety, but also completely contradicts science and recent EPA findings on the need for carbon reductions,” said Joseph Otis Minott, Executive Director and Chief Counsel of Clean Air Council. “It would take years and an absurd amount of taxpayer dollars for President Trump’s EPA to even attempt to repeal the Clean Power Plan, the United States’ first-ever standard to reduce climate-changing carbon dioxide pollution.”

EPA’s announcement comes on the heels of three immensely destructive hurricanes super-charged by warmer temperatures from climate change.

The Clean Power Plan builds on current industry trends to cost-effectively reduce carbon pollution and other harmful pollutants.

Between 2005 and 2014, Pennsylvania reduced carbon dioxide pollution from its energy sector by 12.8 percent, putting the state on a solid trajectory to achieve the Clean Power Plan goal of reducing CO2 pollution 32 percent by 2030.

“Repealing the Plan could potentially undermine Pennsylvania’s growing clean energy economy by rigging the system in favor of polluters. However, local efforts to grow renewable energy are increasing even as Trump’s EPA attempts to stall national requirements for carbon reductions from power plants,” said Minott.

“Pennsylvania’s two largest cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, are moving forward with solutions to address reduce air and carbon pollution and grow jobs in the clean energy economy despite EPA’s attempt to derail progress. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have both recently committed to powering city government by 100% renewable energy by 2030 and 2035, respectively. The solar market in the Philadelphia metro area grew over tenfold and added over 200 jobs in 2016.”

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Clean Air Council website.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker Tuesday issued this statement concerning the rollback of the Clean Power Plan--

“Ignoring the impacts of climate change is short-sighted and will damage the health of the Chesapeake Bay. The Bay's trophy rockfish are struggling to find oxygen as the water gets hotter. Species like soft shelled clams and eelgrass are being stressed by warmer waters that eventually could eliminate them from the Chesapeake Bay. Sea-level rise is threatening coastal marshes and low-lying lands like Tangier Island.

“The air pollution reductions we would get from the CPP would go a long way to improving the health of people living in the Bay Region -- including children, the elderly, and the poor – as well as meeting the nitrogen limit set in the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint.

“Climate change is not a future threat for the Chesapeake Bay. We are already experiencing impacts that will harm the communities and economies that depend on clean water and make finishing the job of saving the Bay all that much harder. It is time to charge forward, not retreat.”

For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column). Click Here to support their work.

PA Coal Alliance

Pennsylvania Coal Alliance Executive Director Rachel Gleason Tuesday issued the following statement on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan--

“Today’s proposed rulemaking to repeal the Clean Power Plan means that this far reaching and costly rule will no longer threaten our state’s economy and the jobs of over 30,000 hard working men and women in Pennsylvania.

“The rule exceeded the EPA’s authority and circumvented state’s rights by mandating energy policy disguised as regulations, and was particularly discriminatory against Pennsylvania as one of the top producers of affordable baseload generation.

“The repeal protects the reliability and resiliency of the power grid, protects ratepayers from significant electricity price increases, and protects our Commonwealth’s position as a net energy exporter.”

=For more information on this and other issues, visit the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance website.

NewsClips:

Pittsburgh’s Climate Is Changing And Some Are Fighting Back

AP: EPA Chief Says Administration To Roll Back Clean Power Climate Plan

EPA To Begin Repealing Clean Power Climate Plan Tuesday

Experts Say Clean Power Plan Repeal Unlikely to Impact Coal Industry

What’s At Stake With The EPA Clean Power Plan Repeal?

EPA Clean Power Climate Plan, 5 Things You Don’t Know

Legere: Market Forces Reducing PA Emissions, But Killing Climate Plan Will Reverse That

Allegheny Front: Revoking Clean Power Climate Plan Could Have Big PA Impact

Eliminating EPA Clean Power Climate Plan Relief For Valley Coal Business Leaders

Puko: U.S. Power Companies Pushing Ahead In Renewable, Gas-Fired Electricity Generation