FCNL joined thirteen other organizations in a statement expressing disappointment in the Environmental Protection Agency’s short-sighted decision to replace the Clean Power Plan (CPP) with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule.
The Clean Power Plan would have reduced emissions from electricity generation by 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, as originally written by the Obama administration. It was the strongest domestic climate policy to date.
When the EPA announced its intent in October 2018 to replace the CPP with the ACE rule, FCNL strongly opposed this decision. The ACE rule will threaten public health, risk lives, and exacerbate climate change
FCNL continues to advocate for ambitious solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of air pollution and climate change.
Statement on the Affordable Clean Energy Rule
June 20, 2019
The recently released Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, which replaces the Clean Power Plan, is a step backward in the effort to curb climate change, address air pollution, and protect human health.Religious organizations and faithful congregations around the country have placed a priority on protecting God’s Earth and human health. A growing majority of Americans are concerned about rising temperatures and climate change and want action to curb emissions to address this crisis. People of faith submitted thousands of comments in opposition to the proposed rule and have consistently advocated for protecting communities from the devasting impacts of air pollution and climate change. The threats imposed by a changing climate and air pollution are something that we are acutely aware of since we are on the front lines of disaster relief and preparedness, refugee resettlement and healthcare.
The EPA’s own analysis indicates that the ACE rule would lead to as many as 1,400 premature deaths annually by 2030 from an increase in extremely fine particulate matter that is linked to heart and lung disease, and up to 15,000 new cases of upper respiratory problems including asthma, a rise in bronchitis, and tens of thousands of missed school days.
We are deeply disappointed in the Environmental Protection Agency’s short-sighted decision and urge the Environmental Protection Agency to reverse course and join us as we work to protect our families and communities, particularly vulnerable populations, from the devastating impacts of air pollution and climate change.
Christian Reformed Church Office of Social Justice
Church World Service
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Franciscan Action Network
Friends Committee on National Legislation
GreenFaith
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
OHALAH: Association of Rabbis and Cantors for Jewish Renewal
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), Office of Public Witness
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth