FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2009
Contact: Virginia Cramer, 804-519-8449
Major Global Warming Regulations Get Underway
The Environmental Protection Agency is holding two public hearings this week to gather input on a new rule that would limit global warming emissions from the nation’s biggest polluters. Sierra Club, Executive Director Carl Pope is giving testimony at the hearing in Virginia today and Verena Owen, volunteer lead of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign will present comments for the Club at the second hearing in Illinois.
Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
"The science is clear, the Supreme Court has ruled and now the EPA has begun its findings—global warming is a threat to our health and wellbeing. Like soot, smog and mercury, we should be working to limit the amount of global warming pollution released into our air. We’re pleased that EPA is taking steps in that direction today.
"We support EPA’s decision to efficiently and effectively get us on track toward a cleaner future. The Big Polluters rule, by focusing on the major emitters first, brings the most bang for the buck. It will result in real pollution reductions while spurring the growth of clean energy industries.
"This is one of the most important commitments yet to moving us towards a clean energy economy and away from dirty power sources like coal. That’s why we’ve worked hard to get hundreds of our members to the hearings and have committed to make sure at least 40,000 of our members and supporters contact EPA in support of this rule. Everyone needs to do their part, and this rule is a good step toward ensuring that big polluters are held responsible for their fair share."
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