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Congresswoman McCollum Statement on Clean Power Plan

August 3, 2015

Congresswoman Betty McCollum released the following statement regarding President Obama’s release of the Clean Power Plan:

“Today, President Obama announced the Clean Power Plan, a historic effort to reduce carbon pollution. This plan confronts the challenge of climate change and the very clear threat it is posing to our country’s national security, public health, and economy.

“The President’s plan also sets forth ambitious goals for the production of renewable energy and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions – allowing states flexibility in how they meet those standards. Under the Clean Power Plan the EPA will work with states to reduce carbon pollution by 32% by the year 2030. Meeting the goal of reducing power plant emissions is the equivalent of removing 166 million cars from our roads.

“Minnesota has always made the production of clean power and the reduction of carbon pollution a priority. Today’s action from the Obama Administration creates national standards along the same lines as those that we have had here in Minnesota for years. Under the new rule, our state will have the flexibility to continue our tradition of innovation in the clean power sector.

“I applaud President Obama and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy for their vision and commitment to tackling the challenges of carbon emissions and climate change head on. This plan will certainly be attacked – wrongly – by polluters and the politicians who support them. The fact is the standards set forth in this rule will strengthen our economy, reduce pollution, and help us to create healthier air for America’s children for generations to come.”

Congresswoman McCollum is the ranking Democratic member on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and the Democratic co-chair of the Native American Caucus.

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