Trey Pollard trey.pollard@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, according to several reports, Scott Pruitt’s EPA announced the first step in his efforts to replace the Clean Power Plan with a polluter-friendly alternative, throwing out a plan that would prevent 3,600 premature deaths and 90,000 asthma attacks every year by 2030.
In response, Sierra Club Chief Climate Counsel Joanne Spalding released the following statement:
"The Clean Power Plan is an affordable, flexible solution to cut carbon pollution and save lives, but Scott Pruitt wants to appease the coal industry by replacing it with a weaker, polluter-approved alternative. The Clean Power Plan is supported by large majorities of the American public and stands on solid legal footing. If we’ve learned anything from the devastating hurricanes and wildfires of 2017, it’s that the Clean Power Plan should be made stronger to address the climate crisis – not repealed or weakened to prop up failing polluters. This is another step to do away with these vital safeguards, but it is far from a concrete proposal, and we fully intend to fight any dangerous step backward with every tool we have."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.