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Pelosi Statement on Historic Clean Power Plan

August 3, 2015

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C.– Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after President Obama and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy released the final Clean Power Plan:

"The Clean Power Plan represents a historic promise to clean our air and preserve our planet for future generations. With this final plan to curb carbon pollution, America sets a new standard on meeting one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

"The climate crisis requires bold and urgent action. In the face of rising asthma rates, record droughts and surging oceans there can be no question: the damage of carbon pollution threatens the health of our communities, the strength of our economy, and the security of our nation. America cannot afford Republicans' willful blindness to the reality and gravity of the climate crisis. As faith leaders from Pope Francis to the evangelical community have reminded us, there is no room for indifference, delay or denial when so much is at stake.

"With the Clean Power Plan, we move to answer our moral obligation to protect the air our children breathe and to preserve the beauty of God's creation. We save consumers money and create clean energy jobs across the country. These benefits are possible because of the investments made by Democratic Congresses in science and clean energy through the America COMPETES Act, the Energy Independence and Security Act and the Recovery Act. Thanks to President Obama's leadership, the United States is leading the nations of the world to confront the climate crisis and secure the future of all humanity. This impressive commitment to preserving our planet should compel the rest of the world to act as boldly as we do today."

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