Governor Carney Urges U.S. EPA to Reconsider Repeal of Clean Power Plan

Governor: “I am here today to state that the rest of the country must follow Delaware’s lead and be part of the solution”

WILMINGTON, Del.— Governor John Carney joined Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) at its public meeting on Monday to offer public comment on the Trump Administration’s proposal to repeal the federal Clean Power Plan. The goal of the Clean Power Plan is to reduce carbon pollution from coal-, oil-, and natural gas-burning power plants, and combat the threat of climate change. President Trump issued an executive order last year to dismantle the plan. In his remarks, Governor Carney stated the importance of the Clean Power Plan to regulate greenhouse gases, address climate change, and improve air quality.

Below are excerpts from Governor Carney’s remarks, which will be submitted to the EPA:

“Our state environmental regulators are charged with protecting Delawareans’ health and our environment, in collaboration with the federal government. The proposed repeal will make our efforts to reduce carbon pollution much more difficult, and will also remove a strong incentive for states and the federal government to work together to clean up our air….the citizens and economy of Delaware are negatively affected by these changes and if the Clean Power Plan is repealed, we will suffer even more.

Rising average temperatures and prolonged heat waves pose critical health threats to Delaware farmers, outdoor workers, children, and the elderly….these threats will only increase if we don’t take a stance as a nation and a global community to reduce the human emissions of greenhouse gases that feed rapid climate change. Delaware has become a national leader in taking that stance, going to great lengths to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

CPP builds on experiences of the states who have already begun enacting clean energy policies – Delaware chief among them. Moving ahead with the Clean Power Plan is of particular importance to Delaware, given EPA’s failure to directly address emissions from power plants that impact Delaware’s air quality. CPP promises to provide additional ozone precursor emissions reductions – which would mean significant public health benefits.

I am convinced that the nation needs viable environmental action such as the Clean Power Plan. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change and the perils it poses to all of us here in the United States and around the world. I leave you today with the pledge that Delaware stands ready to implement the Clean Power Plan as originally proposed and I strongly encourage the EPA to reconsider their proposal to repeal it.”

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