Trump EPA’s “Dirty Power Plan” Is an Obstacle for Clean Energy Transition in the Midwest
The Trump Environmental Protection Agency today proposed a rule giving polluters free rein by gutting the Clean Power Plan, the landmark climate initiative that set the first limits on dangerous carbon pollution from power plants. The proposal props up failing coal-fired power plants by setting weak pollution limits based on minimal “tune-ups” and then authorizes states to weaken the standards even further—or even eliminate them altogether.
The following is a statement from Samantha Williams, Midwest director of the Climate and Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council:
“By the Trump Administration’s own admission, the ‘Affordable Clean Energy Rule’ will increase air pollution and premature deaths. It is not affordable. It is not clean. It is not what the nation needs. Instead, this ‘Dirty Power Plan’ will harm public health, and cost jobs and business certainty in the Midwest, undercutting the clean energy sector that is one of the fastest growing job creators in the region. As Midwestern states have moved to clean energy, the region has become home to over 700,000 clean energy jobs which are now clearly in the crosshairs of this dangerous Trump policy.
“Trump’s move today to take the nation backward makes clear the increasing importance of state and local work to combat climate change and protect public health. Now more than ever, we need Governors and Mayors to redouble their efforts to pick up the slack. We are hopeful that the Midwest will continue pushing the envelope and accelerating the shift to a clean energy economy.”
For more: see this blog by David Doniger, senior strategic director in NRDC’s Climate & Clean Energy program on the proposal’s shortcomings and the history of carbon pollution law: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/david-doniger/trump-epas-dirty-power-plan-coming-soon.
NRDC President Rhea Suh offered these thoughts on the Trump policy today https://www.nrdc.org/media/2018/180821-1
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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization witha more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.