Environmental groups deliver 8 millionth comment to clean up power plants

Media Contacts

Environment Oregon joins national coalition in support of climate action

Environment Oregon

 

Washington, DC–   As the public comment period on the Clean Power Plan closes today, Environment Oregon joined colleagues across the country to deliver a symbolic “8 millionth” comment supporting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards to reduce carbon pollution from power plants.

 Oregon, along with 13 other states, also praised the plan in a letter to the EPA. State leaders from CA, CT, DE, IL, MA, MD, ME, MN, NY, NH, OR, RI, VT, and WA jointly sent the letter, noting that:

  • The need for action on climate is clear and urgent;
  • Leading states have already demonstrated that shifting to a cleaner, more efficient electric power system is feasible and comes with many benefits for the environment and for public health; and
  • “Even greater levels of cost-effective carbon pollution reductions from the power sector are achievable” and necessary to prevent the worst impacts of global warming.

The letter was facilitated by the GeorgetownClimateCenter. A press release with quotes from selected leaders can be found at this link.

 “Across the state, we’ve seen tremendous support for cleaning up power plants and acting on climate,” said Charlie Fisher, advocate with Environment Oregon. “This symbolic 8 millionth comment shows that Oregonians want clean air and a healthier future for our kids. We’re pleasedOregonis leading the way and we look forward to working with Governor John Kitzhaber and governors across the country to implement the Clean Power Plan.”

 Since early 2012, Environment Oregon along with many other groups, have collected millions of comments from Oregonians and other Americans who support reducing carbon pollution from power plants. Supporters of the first-ever carbon limits on power plants include a range of constituencies, from small businesses and local elected officials to faith and public health organizations.

 The joint public comment, supported by a number of groups including Environment Oregon, is as follows:

 “Since the EPA first began collecting them in 2012, clean air supporters have collected and submitted more than 8 million public comments nationally from citizens who support EPA standards to limit dangerous carbon pollution from power plants. While federal limits exist for toxic air pollutants like mercury, arsenic and soot, there are currently no limits on the carbon pollution power plants dump into our air.  

 This symbolic 8 millionth comment reflects the broad support that exists in Oregon for solutions that reduce the unlimited carbon pollution from power plants that fuels climate change and puts our health, our economy and our communities at risk. Recent state polling also shows Oregon voters want climate action by almost a 2 to 1 margin.  This demonstration of support forU.S. leadership on climate change is unprecedented and exceeds, by far, the anti-science, anti-action efforts of the polluters and their allies.

 Oregonians do not have to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. We can have both. Over the last four decades, clean air standards have reduced air pollution by 70% while GDP has tripled.  The Clean Power Plan will significantly cut carbon pollution from power plants, while nationally preventing 150,000 asthma attacks and saving $95 billion per year by 2030.

 We applaud the EPA and the Administration for its unprecedented public outreach and efforts to craft a carbon pollution standard that every Oregonian can support.”