How Cities are Coming Together for the Clean Power Plan
Last August, President Obama released the details of a comprehensive plan to implement strict new carbon standards primarily targeting power plants and industry. Dubbed the Clean Power Plan (CPP), the new regulations aim to address all sectors affected by fossil fuel emissions—including protecting public health, reducing energy bills for families and businesses, creating jobs, and fostering development and investment in renewable energy sources—benefits that will be felt by families and communities across the country.
In spite of the universal benefits, 26 states, industry insiders and the U.S. Chamber of Congress are challenging the Environmental Protection Agency in Court—citing the CPP as over burdensome regulatory oversight. However, the Obama Administration just received the backing of the National League of Cities, a coalition of over 19,000 cities, in addition to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and 13 other large American cities.
Cities and local governments are well aware of the need to act towards climate solutions. The majority of Americans now live in cities, and the health, environmental, economic and natural threats posed by a changing climate place a mounting burden on local leaders. Thus communities are increasingly in favor of implementing bold climate action plans, and leading the way on climate solutions.
Coming together to defend the CPP illustrates the influence of community leadership at the national and international level. Real action on climate will come down to mayors, municipal officials, and local and state governments. The signal being sent to Washington DC is that the time to act is now, and that support will be given to leaders who push to advance climate solutions. Join with the coalition of mayors and community leaders at Path to Positive Communities.
Cities join defense of EPA’s key carbon rule
By Valerie Volcovici | Reuters | December 22, 2015
The National League of Cities, which represents over 19,000 U.S. cities, filed a motion in a federal court Tuesday to support the Obama administration’s push to curb carbon emissions against legal challenges.
The NLC joined the U.S. Conference of Mayors, as well as 13 cities from Baltimore, Maryland to Salt Lake City, Utah to file a “friend of the court” motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to defend the Clean Power Plan, the centerpiece of the administration’s climate change strategy.
Twenty-six states and a number of business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have challenged the Environmental Protection Agency in court, over the strategy.
The Clean Power Plan aims to lower emissions from the country’s power plants 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, and states, particularly those that rely on coal for electricity, say it pushes beyond the limits of the EPA’s regulatory authority.