EPA Should Strengthen Clean Power Plan Protections, Not Weaken Them

Jackson, Mississippi - Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Scott Pruitt, met with officials and media in Mississippi to promote rollbacks to the Clean Power Plan (CPP). The CPP provides states a road map for a common sense approach to carbon pollution reduction goals, the flexibility to design the plan that achieves these reductions and provides incentives to states to do so.

Under the Clean Power Plan Mississippi leaders had the opportunity to take full advantage by expanding energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. A strong state plan can reduce pollution and protect public health while jump starting a clean energy economy that creates good paying, local jobs, all the while saving homeowners and businesses money.

Louie Miller, Director of the Mississippi Sierra Club, issued the following statement in response:

“Since assuming office, Scott Pruitt has proposed rolling back dozens of existing environmental protections – creating new threats to the health and quality of life of Mississippi families.

The roll back of the Clean Power Plan is a failed attempt to prop up the dying coal industry. Coal simply put, is not cost effective when compared to renewable power such as wind and solar. Look no further than Mississippi to see the meteoric rise of solar installations and the proposed 2000 megawatt Pattern wind project that when built, will be the largest single source of electric power in our state. The clean energy revolution is here to stay and will continue with or without Scott Pruitt’s foolhardy attempts to turn back the clock.

"The Mississippi Sierra Club is committed to protecting our community and the integrity of our natural resources and land. Mississippi leaders should continue toward progress regardless of what short sighted decisions are made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to rollback protections in our state.”