To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate
Cut Carbon from Existing Power Plants
Set a limit on the amount of climate changing carbon dioxide existing power plants can emit under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. This section means carbon dioxide pollution is a global problem.
Why is this important?
Carbon dioxide causes climate change. It increases temperature and it accelerates the water cycle. Higher temperatures bake pollution already in our air into ground level ozone, causing 3,800 premature deaths every year in America. In the words of EPA head Gina McCarthy, “One thing we know for sure: when the weather gets hotter, smog gets worse, and people of all ages suffer.”
The United States needs to burn less coal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The coal industry and the 160 climate-change-denying members of congress that accept their donations complain less coal burning will raise the cost of energy. These same individuals complain about a lagging energy market.
A lagging energy market means people are using less energy. This is a good thing! Energy efficiency needs to be institutionalized. Our environment simply cannot withstand the impact of a robust fossil fuel market. The EPA needs to construct a plan to use less energy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. They need congressional support.