Climate Action Campaign Statement on EPA Power Plant Pollution Standards
For Immediate Release
DATE: April 25, 2024
CONTACT: Catherine Gorman, cgorman@cacampaign.org
Washington, DC –
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a package of standards that will slash carbon pollution, clean up coal ash, cut mercury and air toxics, and stop toxic wastewater from power plants. Together the rules are a huge win for our climate, delivering cleaner air and water, and a healthier environment for all. Margie Alt, Director of the Climate Action Campaign, released the following statement:
“The EPA’s new ‘power package’ of standards will slash dangerous pollution like carbon, mercury, coal ash, and toxic wastewater produced by fossil-fuel power plants. It is extremely welcome news. Thanks to President Biden and the EPA, we will have cleaner air and water and a safer climate, which means healthier children and stronger communities across America – especially for those living along the fencelines of power plants. Together, these standards will achieve many measurable and desirable outcomes: the mercury and air toxics standards will create $300 million in health benefits, the wastewater standards will cut 660 million pounds of toxic wastewater pollution, the coal ash standards will require the cleanup of of at least 278 sites that have either legacy coal ash ponds or old, unregulated landfills, and, in 2035, the carbon standards would save 1,200 lives and avert 360,000 cases of asthma.
Standards that will slash carbon pollution from power plants are a centerpiece of the work, ending the era of unfettered climate pollution spewing from the power sector and driving climate change. Today’s actions, along with the Inflation Reduction Act, are projected to lead to a 75% reduction in carbon pollution below 2005 levels by 2035. Between his climate and clean energy plan, actions to cut climate pollution from the transportation sector, the methane pollution standard, and more, President Biden and his administration have delivered incredible progress to tackle the climate crisis – the most in history. Of course we know there is more to do, and we look forward to working with this administration on a comprehensive plan to reduce pollution from existing gas plants.
President Biden and EPA Administrator Michael Regan continue to deliver meaningful Solutions For Pollution. They are making good on their promise to slash dangerous pollution, and they are helping to ensure that the country is on track to meet our climate and clean energy goals. They deserve our thanks!”
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About CAC
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition of advocacy organizations working together to drive ambitious, durable federal action to cut carbon pollution, address the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and accelerate the transition to clean energy. Our goal is to reduce carbon pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy through policies focused on climate, justice, and jobs and expanding opportunity for all.
