Subcommittee Democrats Stress Importance of Clean Power Plan and Taking Action Now
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing to understand the perspective of States on the final Clean Power Plan rule released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on August 3, 2015. According to EPA, the Clean Power Plan will reduce carbon emissions by 32% by the year 2030.
Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) of the Environment Subcommittee said, “The mission of EPA is important yet simple – to protect human health and the environment. The goal of the Clean Power Plan is equally important and simple — to cut carbon emissions from the largest source, the power sector, so that we can lessen the effects of climate change on our states, our country, and our planet. Inaction is unacceptable. When you have climate scientists and economists agreeing that action to address climate change is necessary and that the benefits outweigh the risks, then it is time for our country to stop dragging its feet and to move forward as a nation and a global leader. The Clean Power Plan builds on the efforts of states like Oregon by creating a unified, national approach to our biggest environmental challenge. The Clean Power Plan represents an opportunity for American ingenuity that will allow us to benefit from the much needed transition to a low carbon economy.”
Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “The central feature of the rule is the enormous flexibility it provides to states. EPA is not prescribing a specific set of measures, but instead, states will choose what goes into their plans, and they can work alone or as part of a multi-state effort to achieve meaningful carbon reductions. Additionally, and perhaps, most importantly, the Clean Power Plan sends a strong and much needed signal to the rest of the world about the seriousness of the United States in addressing climate change. Such a position is critical to meaningful international engagement on the issue. I recognize that implementing the Clean Power Plan will not be easy, and that there are real costs associated with transitioning to a low carbon economy. But the bottom line is that the costs of inaction are even greater.”
The witnesses testifying before the Subcommittee were Dr. Bryan Shaw, Chairman, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Mr. Craig Butler, Director, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; and Mr. Jason Eisdorfer, Utility Program Director, Oregon Public Utility Commission.
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