WASHINGTON (June 2, 2014) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), the co-author of the only comprehensive climate change bill to pass a chamber of Congress, today released the following statement on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s release of new rules to cut heat-trapping carbon pollution from America’s existing power plants. Senator Markey chairs the Foreign Relations subcommittee that handles climate change, leads the U.S. Senate Climate Change Clearinghouse, and is a member of the Environment and Commerce Committees.

 

“This is the beginning of the end of America’s long, dirty power plant era. These new carbon-cutting targets will shift the American clean energy revolution that has already started into overdrive, creating jobs and cutting the pollution that threatens our health, our environment, and our future. Massachusetts is already a leader in developing and deploying clean energy technology and these new rules will increase the demand for businesses in our state. 

 

“Coal companies, the Koch brothers, and other allies of polluting special interests may fight this proposal, but scientific facts, economic opportunity, and history aren’t on their side. I am ready to stand up and fight back against these special interests that will attack this historic move to help protect people and the planet.

 

“When Waxman-Markey was moving through Congress, I told coal companies that they had a choice between legislation or regulation. They chose to help kill the climate legislation in the Senate. If they were concerned about using the law to clean up their act, they should have engaged in the legislative debate instead of killing the bill.

 

“Last week, I met with Pope Francis and Vatican leaders about our moral duty to protect the climate. This is our chance to engage in a new era of cleaner energy job creation that will benefit all of creation. I commend President Obama and Administrator McCarthy for their dedication and vision to put forward this historic proposal.”

  • To find out more about Senator Markey's efforts to combat climage change click here