In a statement Thursday, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio called on leaders across the nation to join him in supporting the federal government’s Clean Power Plan, a plan to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.
“There’s no question that climate change is an existential threat to our city, our country, and our planet. We have a moral responsibility to take action however we can,” he said.
The Clean Power Plan was announced by the EPA in response to President Barack Obama’s goal to reduce carbon pollution from fossil fueled power plants. The proposed rules met with legal challenges from numerous coal companies, states, and other industry groups who argued the EPA did not have the legal authority to promulgate them under the Clean Air Act.
A federal court dismissed the lawsuit, deciding the challenge was premature as the rule has not been finalized yet. The rule, which is set to cut our nation’s carbon pollution from the power sector by 30 percent by 2030, is expected to be finalized in August.
DeBlasio characterizes the EPA’s rule as “the biggest and most ambitious action the United States has ever taken.” He noted that New York has set ambitious carbon reducing goals in response to the climate change threat.
He said the city’s goals could be met because of unprecedented policies to dramatically reduce New York City’s emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.
DeBlasio believes the Clean Power Plan’s goals “are vital to protecting both our planet and our public health.”
