Residents throughout the Southeast are rallying behind the U.S. Environmental Safety Company’s proposed carbon laws for energy crops, emphasizing a shared dedication to a cleaner future.
Julian Harden | September 11, 2023
| Clear Vitality Era, Local weather Change, Coal, Utilities
Earlier this 12 months, in a stride towards a extra sustainable future, the U.S. Environmental Safety Company (EPA) proposed to cut back carbon air pollution from coal and gas-powered energy crops. Framed inside part 111 of the Clear Air Act, this initiative seeks to curtail the carbon footprint that our nation’s power sector has lengthy created, casting a protracted shadow over our nation’s public well being and environmental security. Beneath the purview of this proposal, coal energy crops and a few gasoline crops—accountable for a few quarter of the nation’s carbon emissions–might want to reduce their output of carbon pollution. That is important as a result of carbon air pollution from the overwhelming majority of energy crops has basically by no means been regulated by the federal authorities regardless of the massive share of emissions from energy crops.
The EPA proposal will not be as a consequence of be ultimate till subsequent 12 months, however this summer season, the EPA held a public remark interval on the proposed guidelines. Public feedback filed throughout this era included resounding assist for the laws from throughout the Southeast area. SACE and Clear Vitality Era members made a distinction by submitting over 850 feedback to the EPA supporting the proposed guidelines and a greener future.
We’ve compiled a number of the feedback from the guts of the Southeast—a refrain of voices, every echoing the pressing name for stricter carbon laws for energy crops. Commenters signify communities spanning the area that bear the brunt of pollution emitted by these energy crops and grapple with the far-reaching penalties. These voices resonate not merely as feedback in an official process, however as private testimonies that paint a vivid image of the urgent have to rein in emissions. These are only a few of the rising variety of people who’re keen to face up and take collective motion because the Clear Vitality Era, demanding insurance policies that may defend our well being, our communities, and our planet.
Right here’s what they mentioned they need:
A cleaner planet to safeguard our households’ well-being and that of future generations
“That is the suitable motion to take for future generations. I fear in regards to the mess we’re leaving our grandchildren.” – Kathleen Gates, Florida.
“Please assist this EPA proposed plan to assist our youngsters and grandchildren cope with this apparent local weather disaster.” – Jim Carillon, Fairview, NC.
“As a doctor, a mom, and a grandmother, I really feel we should cease carbon air pollution as quickly as attainable! This [carbon rule] is important for our residents and planet’s well being.” – Katherine Sutherland, Winter Haven, Florida. (Learn why Kathie additionally joined the Clear Vitality Era right here.)
A strategy to handle local weather change whereas holding these accountable for air pollution accountable
“Please assist make the U.S. a frontrunner in preventing local weather change by finalizing the strongest model of the brand new guidelines limiting carbon dioxide emissions from energy crops. We’re operating out of time. Half measures aren’t sufficient.” – Nancy Energy, Rockingham, North Carolina.
“Significant regulation of carbon emissions is overdue and important for the survival of our species. Thanks, President Biden, to your management on this situation within the face of calculated misinformation.” – Holly Schwartz, Florida.
“I assist robust local weather air pollution controls on all energy crops, whether or not new or outdated. I’m a retired federal land supervisor and conservation planner who labored on local weather change adaptation and mitigation coverage for the southern US. I understand how a lot simpler and more healthy life could be if the governmental authorities had stepped as much as curb local weather air pollution as an alternative of the individuals preventing to be protected and wholesome. Please take this chance to proceed to take our nation in the suitable route and assist humanity and our planet. Thanks.” Mary Lengthy, Tennessee.
“Significant motion is required to cut back energy plant air pollution, and EPA is finest positioned to behave. We have now a few of Tennessee’s worst fossil gasoline crops, and changing to gasoline crops will not be a superb long-term resolution. Regulation ought to encourage clear power manufacturing and maintain polluters accountable.” – Quentin Humberd, Cunningham, Tennessee.
“Please assist transition the US’ power technology to renewables! Take away the roadblocks for photo voltaic and wind allowing, please! We should take into consideration future generations.” – Frank Galloway, Florida.
“Clear electrical technology expertise is mature and cost-competitive. Utilities can transition if Congress expedites allowing reform for wind, photo voltaic, and long-distance transmission.” Mark Gould, Charleston, South Carolina.
“I stay in an space the place electrical suppliers try to switch coal crops with fossil gasoline. Whereas I welcome the shutdown of the coal crops, my neighborhood has many issues about methane leaks, significantly groundwater contamination. I strongly really feel that our communities will likely be higher served and more healthy if we cease ALL fossil gasoline growth and work towards a simply transition to an electrical grid powered by clear, renewable power.” – Laura Rastl, Clarksville, Tennessee.
The assist from residents throughout the Southeast echoes a shared aspiration for cleaner air, more healthy communities, and a planet safeguarded for future generations. Their voices converse to the urgency of motion and replicate a refrain of resilience and willpower to champion the reason for a greener power panorama.
What’s Subsequent?
Via the lens of those residents, we witness the profound influence energy plant emissions have had and proceed to have on our area’s communities, atmosphere, and public well being. These views underscore the necessity for stricter laws prioritizing the transition to scrub power, which is able to assist us notice a future unburdened by the shackles of carbon air pollution.
The EPA’s proposal serves as an indication of progress that reveals a path towards a extra sustainable power future, however it’s removed from over. Whereas the general public remark interval is closed, some utilities throughout our area are pushing again towards the proposed guidelines. We have to sustain the momentum and let the EPA and our utilities know that we aren’t letting up on our assist for these essential guidelines that may make our communities and our planet more healthy.
SACE is working with people to write down letters to editors supporting robust requirements to chop carbon air pollution. Wish to assist? Attain out to [email protected] to get began!
As well as, we urge EPA to work to make sure environmental justice is delivered by way of these guidelines and that the wants of frontline communities are met, contemplating the environmental impacts of the principles. Additionally, EPA ought to strengthen its proposal in order that it covers extra current gasoline crops – as is, the proposed stage of protection would solely handle 30% of CO2 emissions from current gas-fired energy crops, leaving the overwhelming majority basically unregulated.
Impassioned feedback from our neighbors, like these above, factors out the accountability to behave that rests with authorities entities and coverage makers – however we must always always remember that accountability additionally lies with each certainly one of us who cares in regards to the legacy we depart for the generations that comply with to carry these in energy accountable. By becoming a member of this collective voice, we will construct momentum because the Clear Vitality Era to form a cleaner, more healthy, and extra resilient world. Be a part of us as we assist their name for significant change, assist EPA’s proposal, and work collectively to usher in an period the place carbon emissions now not threaten our well being and security.
