Washington, DC – In response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit hearing oral arguments over the Clean Power Plan, LCV State Policy Director Bill Holland issued the following statement:

“Today marks a big day for the single biggest step our country has ever taken to tackle climate change. We are confident that the Clean Power Plan will be upheld by the courts – it has a strong legal foundation in the Clean Air Act, is consistent with other EPA air pollution reduction programs, and is the result of unprecedented public input and stakeholder engagement.

“Let’s be clear, opposition to this commonsense plan is not about the merits – it’s about Big Polluters’ political allies trying to protect the fossil fuel industry’s profits. Climate change is an urgent threat, which is already taking a toll on communities across the country including droughts, wildfires, sea level rise, and more extreme weather. It is simply unacceptable that the threats posed by climate change and the health impacts of relying on dirty sources of energy fall disproportionately on low income and communities of color. Given the clear benefits of climate solutions and the threat of inaction, many states are already moving forward and those who wait risk being left behind.”

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