I Strongly Support the EPA Clean Power Plan

Climate change is one of the most serious challenges we face at home and around the world. Fourteen of the 15 hottest years on record have occurred in this century, and we're on pace to set a new all-time record this year. The National Climate Assessment showed that without major intervention, oceans will rise as much as 4 feet, water shortages will increase rapidly, and our hottest days could be more than 10 degrees hotter than they are today by the end of the century. Food will become more scarce and more expensive, and global conflict will rise. This is a crisis we can't wait to address.

President Obama, EPA Administrator McCarthy, and the entire Administration have made addressing climate change a top priority, and today's final rule is a critical moment in those efforts. For the first time in our history, there will be restrictions on emissions from power plants - which are responsible for almost one-third of all U.S. carbon emissions. The rule provides flexibility for states and businesses as they meet its requirements, keeping energy affordable and available for consumers. It will protect our environment, improve public health and cut energy bills. In fact, the plan will save each American family nearly $85 a year in 2030 and collectively the plan will save consumers $155 billion from 2020 to 2030.

I strongly support this final rule, and I will work to prevent any Congressional effort to undermine it.