Welch Reaction to Release of Clean Power Plan

WASHINGTON—Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) released the following statement in response to  today’s release of the final Clean Power Plan (CPP) rule.

“Climate change is real and has serious consequences for our economy, our livelihoods, and our health.  You don’t have to go any further than communities across Vermont to hear about its early impacts.  Just ask the businesses and families wiped out by Tropical Storm Irene.  Or the ski lift operator worried about losing his job as the season shortens.  Or the farmer planning for changes in the productivity of her crops.  Or the sugar maker coping with the uncertainty of when the season will start and how long it will last. 

“Every day we wait makes solving this problem more difficult.  And make no mistake about it, this is a problem that can be solved.

President Obama’s bold Clean Power Plan will have an enormous impact on carbon emissions that are a leading cause of climate change.  It is a practical and flexible plan that is the product of constructive input from states and utilities.  To succeed, it is essential that all parties choose a path of cooperation over litigation and problem solving over intransigence.  Time is of the essence.”

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