Ranking Member Johnson comments on proposed EPA Rule
(Washington, DC) – Following today’s release of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule to regulate carbon emissions of existing power plants, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology released the following statement:
“The impact of climate change on American citizens is being felt today and the consequences are growing more severe. Acting on climate change is not only an environmental imperative, but a public health one too. Higher risks of asthma attacks, heat stroke, and respiratory disease are all consequences of a warming climate. The EPA’s new rule works within the Clean Air Act to protect the health and well-being of Americans.
“In addition to the health risks, severe weather trends associated with climate change threaten the economic vitality of communities across the country. By fostering clean energy innovation and modernizing the power sector, the United States will lead the world in tackling this global challenge. I am pleased that the proposed rule allows for state input and flexibility in developing regional approaches to achieving the goals of the rule.
“The climate and health benefits of this proposed rule are estimated to be worth up to $93 billion per year in 2030, far outweighing the plan’s estimated annual cost of up to $8.8 billion per year in 2030. The long-term job creation and health benefits are clear and I fully support the work the EPA is doing to curb carbon emissions and protect the health of every American.”
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