CLIMATE REALITY SUBMITS MORE THAN 126,000 CITIZEN COMMENTS TO EPA

WASHINGTON, DC (December 1, 2014) — Today, The Climate Reality Project announced the delivery of more than 126,000 citizen comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of the EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan, a rule that would limit carbon pollution from existing power plants.

“The Clean Power Plan is a critical tool in meeting the commitment recently announced by President Obama to reduce our nation’s carbon emissions and set us on the path to a future powered by clean, renewable energy. Millions of Americans understand that the climate crisis is urgent and that we have all the tools we need to solve it. That’s why tens of thousands of people have have joined The Climate Reality Project in supporting this crucial effort, ” said Vice President Al Gore, chairman of The Climate Reality Project.

The Clean Power Plan – proposed in June – is the first-ever national standard that would limit emissions from existing power plants, which account for 40 percent of the U.S. carbon pollution contributing to climate disruption. The plan calls for cutting emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, making it the largest single action that the U.S. has taken to address climate change.

The citizen comments are part of The Climate Reality Project’s People vs. Carbon campaign, which earlier this year gathered more than 80,000 comments in support of the EPA other recently proposed rule, which would limit carbon pollution from future power plants.

“Our People vs. Carbon campaign has brought together all types of people who have seen the effects of climate change in their lives today. They are united in their call for climate action,” said Ken Berlin, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project. “This plan is the most aggressive proposal aimed at combating climate change that we have seen to date. Furthermore, this rule sends a strong message to other nations that America is serious about dealing with climate change and is ready to lead by example.”

The EPA estimates that the Clean Power Plan will result in climate and health benefits worth $55 billion to $93 billion in 2030 by reducing asthma attacks and preventing premature deaths. The rule will also create an estimated 76,000 to 112,000 new jobs in 2025 through expansion of the energy efficiency sector alone.