Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson testified before the Environment and Public Works Committee Tuesday as the Senate drafts its version of a clean energy and climate bill. Grassroots advocates with CCAN and the Avaaz Climate Action Factory, some wearing strong man suits, turned out in force to demand a stronger bill. In honor of Administrator Jackson’s presence, we specifically demanded restoration of the EPA’s authority to regulate global warming pollution from coal plants.
As you know, the House of Representatives successfully passed H.R. 2454, a 1,400-page cap-and-trade bill that was the result of months of negotiations. The bill underwent many changes as its authors – Congressmen Markey and Waxman — negotiated to get the votes they calculated it needed to pass. The result? The House-passed bill just isnt’ good enough.
In one of the most controversial compromises, the House repealed the Clean Air Act provision that empowered the EPA to regulate carbon pollution from dirty coal plants.
Without this provision, the Obama Administration is powerless to stop hundreds of old, dirty coal plants from spewing global warming pollution into the air. Some of the biggest climate polluters on the planet could be let off the hook.
Even worse, the coal industry is trying to build at least 100 more dirty coal plants. For years, environmental and citizen groups have blocked these plants. Right now the Chesapeake Climate Action Network is fighting two proposed coal plants in Virginia alone. If this Clean Air Act provision is eliminated, local groups may be unable to stop another generation of dependence on dirty coal.
Tuesday marked the beginning of a series of hearings and high-level meetings aimed at producing a Senate complement to the House climate bill. CCAN and others will be working non stop to make sure the Senate bill truly delivers on the clean energy future we so desperately need. Want to stay in the loop? Join our special “Hill Force” list and we’ll keep you up to date on how to get involved.
