Trump administration’s replacement to Clean Power Plan sends U.S. in the wrong direction on climate change

Environment North Carolina

Raleigh, NC — The Trump administration announced today its rule to replace the Clean Power Plan, which was put into place in 2015. The Clean Power Plan was set to cut carbon pollution from the electric power sector by 32 percent by 2030 and, so far, we’ve been on track to meet those targets. While even steeper cuts are necessary to avert the worst impacts of climate change, this new replacement plan is expected to slow the transition of the power sector to clean, renewable energy.

Drew Ball, State Director of Environment North Carolina, released the following statement:

“On behalf of our members in North Carolina, we unequivocally oppose President Trump’s Dirty Power Plan. It will intensify carbon pollution from the burning of dangerous fossil fuels and accelerate the warming of the planet, increasing life-threatening changes to our climate. As the foothills recover from last week’s unrelenting, powerful downpours, and the east continues to rebuild from hurricanes Florence and Matthew, it is a travesty that the Trump administration is reversing course on clean power.

“Americans understand what’s at stake as we all value clean air and a healthy environment. They expect the Environmental Protection Agency and their elected leaders to act in their best interest. As such, there is no way to justify this move.

“Thankfully, governors and state legislatures continue to move forward to transition our electric power to renewable sources like the sun and wind. States like New Mexico and Washington have pledged 100 percent clean energy by 2045, and many more like New York are moving in the same direction. These states are tackling the climate challenge head on and taking us into a sustainable future. It’s past time for our federal officials to join them.”