President Obama to Unveil Plan to Tackle Climate Change

Environment Connecticut

Hartford, CT –   In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, record droughts and wildfires in many states, President Obama has announced he will unveil a climate action plan on Tuesday designed to cut the carbon pollution fueling global warming and advance clean energy solutions. Environment Connecticut applauded the announcement.  

“Connecticut is already paying a price as global warming fuels more damaging storms and dangerous heat waves,” said Chris Phelps, with Environment Connecticut. “Protecting our children from even more devastating consequences demands bold leadership. President Obama realizes this and we hope his plan will truly begin to safeguard future generations.”  

One aspect of the plan that Environment Connecticut and others will be watching closely is how it addresses carbon pollution from power plants. Despite being the largest sources of the carbon pollution fueling global warming, power plants have no federal limits on the amount of carbon pollution they can spew into our air. The president’s plan could take a pivotal step toward changing that.

“President Obama’s climate plan should clean up the largest global warming polluters and advance clean energy solutions, to help protect future generations from more severe weather and other consequences of global warming,” said Phelps. “In addition to cleaning up carbon pollution from power plants, we will look for the president’s plan to advance energy efficiency measures and expand renewable energy—two critical steps toward getting the nation on track to a truly clean energy future.”

More than 3.2 million Americans submitted public comments last year in support of the president setting limits on carbon pollution from power plants.

Left unchecked, global warming is likely to result in everything from more intense storms to more unhealthy air days. Scientists warn that time is short to make the necessary cuts in carbon pollution to protect future generations from the worst consequences of global warming.  

Cities and states across the country have been successfully implementing climate action plans and renewable energy solutions. Connecticut partnered with other Northeastern states to require carbon pollution cuts from power plants and in 2008 enacted mandatory statewide pollution caps.  These programs have helped cut carbon pollution, and paved the way for Tuesday’s plan for federal action from President Obama.

“Environment Connecticut , and our thousands of members and supporters stand ready to assist the president in taking ambitious steps to cut global warming pollution,” concluded Phelps.

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