On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will amend its proposed plan to cut carbon pollution from the power sector. The revised plan will advance as a two-pronged approach that tackles pollution from new gas plants and existing coal plants now while addressing existing gas plants in the future. As a result, the EPA will launch a new rulemaking process for existing gas power plants that will apply to the entire gas-fired fleet and cover more pollutants than originally proposed, including toxic and criteria air pollution.
In response, Tori Goebel, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA), released the following statement:
“For far too long, our communities have been burdened by environmental injustice caused by fossil fuel pollution. The fossil fuel industry has continued to profit while our neighbors pay the price through harmful consequences including serious, and even deadly, health impacts and climate-fueled extreme weather events. According to the American Lung Association, more than 1 in 3 Americans live in places with unhealthy levels of pollution. What’s more, it is communities living on the fence lines of power plants and other marginalized communities that face the most severe impacts of carbon pollution. That is why we thank Administrator Regan and the White House for listening to and upholding the voice of the people, especially the environmental justice communities most impacted by power plant pollution. We look forward to helping ensure the success of this vital two-step approach for the sake of our neighbors.”
Learn more about the originally proposed standards here.
