MADISON, WI –Twenty-five state and local officials spanning from Milwaukee to Eau Claire and beyond today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt the strongest possible carbon pollution standards for coal- and gas-fired power plants to protect public health, slash climate pollution, and move closer to 100 percent clean power generation. The diverse group, ranging from mayors and state lawmakers to city council members and town supervisors, joined nearly 400 officials hailing from 40 states and Puerto Rico.
Toxic and climate pollution from fossil fuel plants is plaguing much of the United States and is a main driver of climate change and myriad public health concerns. Every year, power plant pollution yields thousands of premature deaths, asthma attacks, hospital and emergency room visits, school absences, and lost workdays.
According to the EPA, the proposed standards for coal- and gas- fired power plants would avoid more than 600 million metric tons of carbon pollution, while also preventing 300,000 asthma attacks and 1,300 premature deaths in 2030 alone. The group of state and local officials noted that the standards, set to take effect in April 2024, represent an important step forward, but encouraged the agency to achieve even greater pollution reductions by covering more plants and on a faster timeline.
“Representing millions of constituents, we understand firsthand how important tackling climate change is to our communities,” the letter states. “Extreme weather disasters are costing us on average more than $5,000 a second. As severe heat waves, drought, wildfires, sea level rise, severe storms, and coastal and inland flooding become more frequent, communities across the country are feeling the effects of climate change firsthand.”
“As a city committed to accomplishing carbon neutrality, we need our partners in the federal government to increase standards so that we can meet our climate goals and achieve our responsibilities to future generations,” City of Racine Mayor Cory Mason stated
La Crosse County Board Supervisor Maureen Freedland added, “As a united force of nearly 400 officials, including local leaders from diverse backgrounds, we urgently call on the Biden Administration to embrace robust standards targeting carbon pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants. We know that fossil fuel pollution is harming human health and the environment. Action is long overdue. Our collective voice demands the adoption of stringent measures to safeguard public health, curb climate pollution, and propel us closer to a future powered by 100 percent clean energy.”
In addition to calling for greater coverage, the signatories also underscored the importance of rigorous monitoring and enforcement. They wrote, “The administration must also take action for community protections and input, including rigorous monitoring and verification of emissions, enforcement of violations, and engagement with communities, both on the state planning process and on individual projects.”
The letter was coordinated by several groups united in their belief that the climate crisis requires urgent action. The groups include Climate Action Campaign, League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resources Defense Council, Elected Officials to Protect America, C40 Cities, and Climate Mayors.
The full letter can be found below and a list of all of the signatories, sorted by state, can be found here.
About the Climate Action Campaign
CAC is a vibrant coalition of dozens of major national environment, environmental justice, and public health groups, working together to drive ambitious, durable federal action based on science, to address the climate crisis. Our goal is to reduce climate pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy in ways that support justice, jobs, health and economic opportunity for all.
