WASHINGTON – Today at 9 a.m. EDT, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy will discuss the importance of public input on the proposed Clean Power Plan. This week, there will be four, two-day public hearings in Washington D.C., Atlanta, Denver and Pittsburgh, to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed rule.
At the direction of President Obama and after an unprecedented outreach effort, EPA released the Clean Power Plan, which for the first time seeks to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants, the single largest source of carbon pollution in the United States. EPA predicts that when the proposed plan is fully implemented in 2030, carbon emissions from these sources will be 30 percent below 2005 levels. The proposal will protect public health, move the United States toward a cleaner environment and fight climate change while supplying Americans with reliable and affordable power.
EPA has received around 300,000 comments on the proposal, and anticipates hearing oral comments from about 1,600 people. Each location will have two rooms to accommodate attendees and as many speakers as possible. People can comment on the proposal by email, fax or letter: EPA considers all comments equally, no matter how they are submitted. The comment period on the proposal is open until October 16, 2014.
WHO: Gina McCarthy, EPA Administrator
Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation
WHAT: Press conference call on proposed Clean Power Plan's public hearings
WHEN: Monday, July 28, 9 a.m. EDT
