Press Statement  On Earth Day, AG Healey Calls on Congress to Say Yes to EPA’s Clean Power Plan

Boston — Today, to mark Earth Day, Attorney General Maura Healey issued the following statement, calling on Congress to support the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. The Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants and the Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants will maintain an affordable, reliable energy system, while cutting pollution and protecting our health and environment now and for future generations:           

“This Earth Day, we celebrate the progress we’ve made as a nation in cleaning up our air and water, reducing hazardous waste, and deepening our understanding of the importance of a healthy environment for all people.  We recognize, as well, that we still face enormous challenges. 

Climate change—and its costs—are affecting families across the country and right here in Massachusetts.  At the same time, we are in the midst of a major transition in our energy markets, which presents us with the opportunity to decide what the right energy mix should be to ensure we continue to reduce emissions and build a thriving economy. The choices we make now must be based on accurate data and a realistic assessment of need, and those choices must be the product of a transparent process.  This is an all hands on deck moment for Massachusetts, and the nation.  We must do more to reduce the threat of climate change, invest wisely, and fully realize the potential of clean energy generation. As we fight to keep energy prices affordable, we know that it makes good economic and environmental sense to build a clean energy future.

Our office is fighting on multiple fronts to help ensure we have the tools we need to protect our environment and the health of all those in Massachusetts. Last week, we testified before a Congressional subcommittee in support of EPA’s Clean Power Plan, which will further protect the environment and the public by limiting global warming pollution from power plants nationwide. Massachusetts has a long and proud history of leading on environmental issues and we will continue to do so in the years ahead.”