Attend an EPA Listening Hearings on Proposed Carbon Standards for Existing Power Plants
The science is clear — the planet is warming and human activity is the primary cause. Because global warming presents a danger to public health — from worsening ozone pollution and rising sea levels to extreme weather events like heat waves, coastal flooding, heavy rain, and severe droughts — the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must set standards to limit the carbon emissions that are driving climate change.
Power plants are the single largest source of carbon emissions in the United States. By June 2014, the EPA is due to propose guidelines for a carbon standard for existing power plants, to complement a standard for new power plants proposed last September.
These standards are the most significant step the Obama administration can take right now to address climate change — and it’s critical that they get them right. The EPA should design a strong and flexible standard for existing power plants that will allow renewable energy, like wind and solar, and energy efficiency to play a significant role in achieving deep carbon emissions reductions at an affordable cost.
Suggested Talking Points
Please make your comments personal by adding in your own thoughts and concerns. Every statement makes a difference, but customized stories have the greatest effect!
- I am here in support of the EPA’s efforts to reduce carbon pollution from power plants by setting strong standards under the Clean Air Act.
- Power plants are the largest source of carbon emissions in the United States today, accounting for 40 percent of the carbon pollution that causes climate change.
- These standards are a critical step to reducing the effects of global warming and protecting public health, and will contribute to a much-needed transition to a cleaner electricity system.
- Carbon pollution that causes climate change contributes to numerous health concerns — including worsening ozone pollution that causes respiratory and lung ailments, heat waves that increase illness and death, and injuries and death from extreme weather events – yet it remains unchecked. That must change.
- Americans are already feeling the effects of a warming world, and these effects will only get worse if we fail to swiftly and significantly reduce global warming emissions. It is critically important that the EPA's carbon standards are based on the best available science.
- I urge you to consider the important role that renewable energy can play to ensure a transition away from fossil fuel-based energy generation to a low-carbon energy future.
- Expanding clean energy sources such as wind and solar can ensure that a shift away from coal does not result in an over-reliance on natural gas. A natural gas-dominated electricity system poses significant climate, economic, and public health risks and does not represent a long-term solution to global warming.
- Renewable energy stands ready to provide more of our nation’s electricity. We have the tools to significantly increase renewable energy while maintaining a reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy system.
- Several states are already taking the lead in cutting their emissions through innovative programs and EPA’s carbon standard can build on this progress.
- I believe we have an obligation to protect our children and future generations from the effects of climate change by addressing its causes and its impacts.
- I urge you to work quickly to create strong standards for existing power plants and finalize standards for both new and existing power plants by June 2015.