Senators, Representatives, Governors Support Carbon Pollution Standards

Moose with calf
Moose populations have been devastated in recent years by climate-related pest populations. Photo by Philippe Henry/NWF photo contest
On Monday, the EPA released first-ever standards limiting carbon pollution from power plants. While our country limits the amount of mercury, arsenic, and soot our power plants can dump into the atmosphere, we’ve never asked them to limit the amount of carbon pollution they emit. With these new standards, that will no longer be the case. And throughout the week we’ve seen scores of elected officials from across the country stand up to support this common-sense move to protect wildlife, kids, and clean air. 

Senators, Representatives and Governors know that the time has come for action to combat climate change—and they know their constituents support this action too! Just this week, a new ABC poll showed that a huge majority of Americans support regulating carbon pollution from power plants, both Democrats and Republicans alike! Thirty-six Senators, more than 50 Representatives, and 14 Governors issued positive statements about the carbon pollution standards. Here are some highlights:

Senators

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA):

“We have an obligation to minimize the impacts of climate change while moving towards energy independence and creating jobs across the Commonwealth. No one understands better than Pennsylvanians what can happen if we don’t take appropriate steps to protect our air and water.”

Tweet: Thank you @SenBobCasey for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Sen. Casey>>

Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO):

Climate change is threatening Colorado’s special way of life. Coloradans have seen firsthand the harmful effects of climate change, including severe drought, record wildfires and reduced snowpack. Coloradans also have led the nation over the past decade in confronting this challenge and showing how we can reduce carbon emissions, protect our land, water and air, and strengthen our economy. The EPA’s draft rule is a good start, and I will fight to ensure it complements the work we have already done in Colorado and provides states the flexibility they need to make it successful.”

Tweet: Thank you @MarkUdall for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting landmark @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Sen. Udall>>

Sen. John Tester (D-MT):

“Agriculture and outdoor recreation power Montana’s economy,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. “From floods to beetle-killed trees, we know the consequences of the changing climate. State-based solutions that reduce the effects of climate change will keep these industries and our economy strong. This responsible proposal gives states flexibility to balance the needs of today with the demands of tomorrow.  I will make sure it works for Montanans.”

Tweet: Thank you @SenatorTester for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Sen. Tester>>

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH):

“Families and businesses in New Hampshire have been paying for the cost of inaction in the form of economic and public health consequences, and we are already seeing the impact of climate change in New Hampshire, threatening many of our traditional industries and the health of our children. I will carefully review the proposed EPA rules to ensure they protect New Hampshire, but the time for national action is long overdue.”

Tweet: Thank you @SenatorShaheen for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Sen. Shaheen>>

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA):

“Reducing this carbon pollution is in our national interest, but we have an obligation to do it in a way that makes economic sense. I’ve seen how smart environmental rules helped us clean up the James River in my hometown in ways that improved our economy and quality of life.  We don’t have to choose between a clean environment and economic growth.  We just have to make sure that we adopt balanced rules that advance environmental goals by spurring economic innovation.”

Tweet: Thank you @timkaine for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting landmark @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Sen. Kaine>>

Governors

Gov. Pat Quinn (IL):

“I commend President Obama for confronting this critical issue. Illinois has seen the devastating impacts of severe weather first-hand with 11 natural disasters over the past five years. Moving toward a cleaner, more reliable and resilient energy system will bring significant benefits to our communities and our state.”

Tweet: Thank you @GovernorQuinn for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Gov. Quinn>>

Gov. Maggie Hassan (NH):

“Programs such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative have brought numerous benefits to the Granite State, leading to new innovations while generating jobs and saving energy costs. We look forward to continuing to work with our regional partners to ensure that we reduce the harmful emissions that lead to climate change, while also helping to reduce energy costs, create jobs and encourage innovation in the state’s clean-energy economy.”

Tweet: Thank you @@GovernorHassanfor standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Gov. Hassan>>

Gov. Jack Markell (DE):

“The impact of climate change is clear, from rising sea levels to more powerful and frequent extreme weather events that put Delaware families and businesses at risk. We have an obligation to address the root cause of these changes and that means limiting carbon pollution from our power plants.”

Tweet: Thank you @GovernorMarkell for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Gov Markell>>

Representatives

Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI, 14th):

“Climate change poses a real threat to our Great Lakes and agricultural producers in Michigan, but it also presents an economic opportunity for us to continue leading the nation in clean energy solutions. We must take action to address climate change, but we must do so in a way that works for Michigan families, manufacturers, and our emerging clean energy sector.”

Tweet: Thank you @RepGaryPeters for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Rep. Peters>>

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ, 4th): 

“New Jersey — with a 130 miles of shoreline — is under water. We just cannot stand for that. We have to start making changes now.”

Rep. Tami Duckworth (D-IL, 8th):

On Monday, President Obama announced groundbreaking limits on carbon pollution from electric power plants, a move that will significantly address climate change. I strongly support the president’s action because reducing carbon pollution will result in greater national security, cleaner air and healthier communities while strengthening Illinois’ economy. Just as military necessity led to energy innovation on the battlefield, these new limits on carbon pollution will provide strong incentives for Illinois businesses to accelerate the development of cleaner, cheaper energy technologies.

Tweet: Thank you @RepDuckworth for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Rep. Duckworth>>

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN, 4th): 

Climate change is a clear and present threat to our natural environment.  Over the past several years, we have seen an increase in super storms, an uptick in tornadoes, and rapidly melting ice in the arctic.  Severe weather events are becoming more frequent and they are affecting more Americans.  These consequences of carbon pollution and the resulting climate change are easy to see and feel, and their impacts are often devastating.

Tweet: Thank you @BettyMcCollum04 for standing up for wildlife, kids & clean air by supporting @EPA climate action. #ActOnClimate #WinOnClimateClick here to thank Rep. McCollum>>

 

Rising temperatures in the world’s oceans are causing sea ice—critical habitat for polar bears—to disappear for longer and longer periods during the late summer. Photo: Norbert Rossing
Rising temperatures in the world’s oceans are causing sea ice—critical habitat for polar bears—to disappear for longer and longer periods during the late summer. Photo: Norbert Rossing
This diverse array of support for the EPA’s carbon pollution standard is just one more indication that the tide is turning towards action to combat climate change. The science has shown us that if we hope to protect our wildlife, kids, and clean air from increasingly devastating impacts of climate change, we must act now.

These Senators, Representatives and Governors need to hear from you! Call or Tweet at these elected officials today to tell them that we support them in their efforts to stand up for the carbon pollution standards!

 

Full list of 36 Senators who have released supportive or positive statements this week:

Boxer (CA); Feinstein (CA); Bennet (CO); Mark Udall (CO); Murphy (CT); Carper (DE); Coons (DE); Schatz (HI); Hirono (HI); Harkin (IA); Durbin (IL); Markey (MA); Warren (MA); Cardin (MD); King (ME-I); Collins (ME-R); Franken (MN); Klobuchar (MN); Tester (MT); Walsh (MT); Shaheen (NH); Booker (NJ); Menendez (NJ); Heinrich (NM); Tom Udall (NM); Reid (NV); Wyden (OR); Merkley (OR); Casey (PA); Whitehouse (RI); Kaine (VA); Leahy (VT); Sanders (VT); Murray (WA); Baldwin (WI); Rockefeller (WV)

Full list of 14 Governors who have released supportive or positive statements this week:

Governor Brown (CA); Governor Hickenlooper (CO); Governor Malloy (CT); Governor Markell (DE); Governor Abercrombie (HI); Governor Quinn (IL); Governor O’Malley (MD); Governor Patrick (MA); Governor Bullock (MT); Governor Hassan (NH); Governor Kitzhaber (OR); Governor Chafee (RI); Governor Shumlin (VT); Governor Inslee (WA)

Not-comprehensive list of 50-plus House members who have released supportive or positive statements this week:

Grijalva (AZ-3, D), Huffman (CA-2, D), Matsui (CA-6, D), Miller (CA-11, D), Pelosi (CA-12, D), Barbara Lee (CA-13, D), Eshoo (CA-18, D), Lofgren (CA-19, D), Capps (CA-24, D), Waxman (CA-33, D), Lowenthal (CA-47, D), Scott Peters (CA-52, D),  Polis (CO-2, D), Quigley (Il-5, D), Duckworth (IL-8, D), Davis (IL-13, R),McGovern (MA-2, D), Sarbanes (MD-3, D), Delaney (MD-6, D), Van Hollen (MD-8,D), Pingree (ME-1, D), Ellison (MI-5, D), Smith (NJ-4, R), Heck (NV-3, R), Israel (NY-3, D), Clark (NY-9, D), Tonko (NY-20, D), Kuster (NH-2, D), Blumenauer (OR-3, D), Moran (VA-8, D), Connolly (VA-11, D), Welch (VT, D), McDermott (WA-7, D)