[Senate Document 114-10]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




114th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - -  Senate Document 114-10
 
                           VETO--S.J. RES. 24

                                (PM 35)

                               __________

                                MESSAGE


                                  from
                                  
                     THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                               returning

     WITHOUT MY APPROVAL S.J. RES. 24, PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL 
DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE 
 SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO ``CARBON 
POLLUTION EMISSION GUIDELINES FOR EXISTING STATIONARY SOURCES: ELECTRIC 
 UTILITY GENERATING UNITS'', RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT OF THE SENATE 
                          ON DECEMBER 18, 2015

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


                January 11, 2016.--Ordered to be printed



                                   ______

                         U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 

98-252                         WASHINGTON : 2016


















To the Senate of the United States:
    S.J. Res. 24 is a joint resolution providing for 
congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5 of the 
United States Code of a rule submitted by the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) relating to ``Carbon Pollution Emission 
Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility 
Generating Units.'' This resolution would nullify the Clean 
Power Plan, the first national standards to address climate-
destabilizing greenhouse gas pollution from existing power 
plants. Accordingly, I am withholding my approval of this 
resolution. (The Pocket Veto Case, 279 U.S. 655 (1929)).
    Climate change poses a profound threat to our future and 
future generations. Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, a 
primary greenhouse gas, are higher than they have been in at 
least 800,000 years. In 2009, EPA determined that greenhouse 
gas pollution endangers Americans' health and welfare by 
causing long-lasting changes in the climate that can have, and 
are already having, a range of negative effects on human 
health, the climate, and the environment. We are already seeing 
the impacts of climate change, and established science confirms 
that we will experience stronger storms, deeper droughts, 
longer wildfire seasons, and other intensified impacts as the 
planet warms. The Pentagon has determined that climate change 
poses immediate risks to our national security.
    The Clean Power Plan is a tremendously important step in 
the fight against global climate change. It is projected to 
reduce carbon pollution from power plants by 32 percent from 
2005 levels by 2030. It builds on progress States and the power 
sector are already making to move toward cleaner energy 
production, and gives States the time and flexibility they need 
to develop tailored, cost-effective plans to reduce their 
emissions. By nullifying the Clean Power Plan, S.J. Res. 24 not 
only threatens ongoing progress toward cleaner energy, but 
would also eliminate public health and other benefits of up to 
$54 billion per year by 2030, including thousands fewer 
premature deaths from air pollution and thousands fewer 
childhood asthma attacks each year.
    The Clean Power Plan is essential in addressing the largest 
source of greenhouse gas pollution in our country. It is past 
time to act to mitigate climate impacts on American 
communities. Because the resolution would overturn the Clean 
Power Plan, which is critical to protecting against climate 
change and ensuring the health and well-being of our Nation, I 
cannot support it.
    To leave no doubt that the resolution is being vetoed, in 
addition to withholding my signature, I am returning S.J. Res. 
24 to the Secretary of the Senate, along with this Memorandum 
of Disapproval.

                                                      Barack Obama.
    The White House, December 18, 2015.

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