FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2015
CONTACT: Dan Crawford, Director of Governmental Relations, NC League of Conservation Voters; dan@nclcv.org, 919-839-0020 or 919-539-1422
RALEIGH – Today, the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) praised the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, a common sense regulation to cut carbon emissions from power plants. The Clean Power Plan will avoid up to 3,600 premature deaths, lead to 90,000 fewer asthma attacks in children, and prevent 300,000 missed work and school days. By 2030, the net public health and climate-related benefits from the Clean Power Plan are estimated to be worth $45 billion every year, and it is projected to cut the average American’s monthly electricity bill by 7% in 2030.
Here in North Carolina, though, the Senate is set to debate a bill tomorrow that would prevent the state from implementing the new rules. Originally, House Bill 571, which passed the House, directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to develop a plan to reduce carbon emissions. Senator Trudy Wade amended the bill in the Senate to prevent DENR from taking any action.
“The Clean Power Plan is the single biggest step we have ever taken to protect public health and combat climate change. These historic standards give North Carolina the opportunity to invest more in our successful renewable energy sector, leading to healthier communities and savings for energy consumers,” said Dan Crawford, director of governmental relations for NCLCV. “The House was moving the issue in the right direction. Unfortunately, the Senate is trying to obstruct the process. Instead, they should take advantage of the flexible framework, which allows North Carolina to craft the solutions that work best for us. Our leaders should seize this opportunity to safeguard our health and environment while creating jobs and growing our clean energy economy.”
In addition to the obstacles in North Carolina, bills in Congress would stop the Clean Power Plan. Last week, the national League of Conservation Voters launched a new ad campaign aimed at holding Senator Richard Burr accountable for opposing the Clean Power Plan. With the release of the EPA’s final Clean Power Plan rule today, and related votes in Congress expected soon, the ads call upon constituents to contact Senator Burr and urge him to vote against any bill that would stop or delay implementation of these important pollution safeguards.
“Despite the wealth of evidence, Senator Burr, Governor McCrory and the North Carolina Senate are doubling down on their support of unlimited carbon pollution,” said Gene Karpinski, President of League of Conservation Voters. “Senator Burr has repeatedly voted to protect big polluters’ tax breaks and allow them to keep spewing unlimited carbon pollution into our air. Governor McCrory has criticized the Clean Power Plan. These positions are dangerous, irresponsible, and put the people of North Carolina’s health at risk.”
NC League of Conservation Voters is a statewide lobbying organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing North Carolina’s natural environment. NCLCV has been working to protect North Carolina’s environment and our citizen’s health for over 45 years, turning environmental values into North Carolina priorities. NCLCV’s vision for the future of North Carolina is that all citizens and our elected decision-makers will better understand and appreciate North Carolina’s unique natural environment, and the integral role it plays in North Carolina’s economy and quality of life. Visit nclcv.org for more information.
