August 21, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 21, 2018) Today, Defend Our Future, a national grassroots organization empowering young people to take action on climate change, released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s proposal to replace America’s Clean Power Plan:

“EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler is clearly doubling down on his predecessor Scott Pruitt’s toxic agenda – at the expense of the health and safety of all Americans. As climate change ravages our nation and the world, the Trump administration should be implementing strong protections that safeguard our communities and the planet for future generations.

“The proposed ‘replacement’ of the Clean Power Plan is nothing more than a do-nothing plan that may not provide any meaningful reduction to dangerous climate change-fueling pollution – and may even lead to pollution increases.

“The Clean Power Plan would achieve a 32% reduction in carbon pollution from existing power plants once fully implemented, compared to 2005 levels. The measure would also result in significant reductions of air pollutants such as ozone, which would prevent up to 90,000 childhood asthma attacks, 1,700 heart attacks, and more than 1,000 premature deaths every year by 2030, according to EPA’s own analysis.

“Communities of color and low-income communities that too often bear the brunt of climate change and pollution have the most to lose under this reckless rollback. And it also will be young people and future generations who will pay the price for this administration’s ongoing assault on our health and the environment.

“Americans overwhelming support this common-sense public health protection. A recent poll analysis from Yale University found that more than two-thirds of Americans – and a majority in every Congressional district – expressed support for ‘strict’ limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants. Additionally, attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia, 244 mayors representing 51 million Americans, public health professionals, business organizers, electric grid experts, and many more have spoken out in support of the Clean Power Plan.

“The Clean Power Plan would advance clean energy progress across the country. Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans favor expanding clean energy such as solar and wind according to a recent survey from the Pew Research Center.

“By putting forward this ‘Dirty Power Plan,’ Acting Administrator Wheeler is once again putting polluters – including some of the very ones he represented as a former coal lobbyist – before the health and safety of the American people. Acting Administrator Wheeler should do his job by standing with young people and families and implementing strong clean air and climate safeguards that will protect our health and our future. Our supporters demand nothing less.

“We strongly oppose President Trump and U.S. EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s toxic agenda and will fight this reckless rollback at every turn.

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