[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H5402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CLIMATE CHANGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Schiff) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Environmental 
Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan proposed rule.
  In the face of a Congress that is in denial about climate change, the 
administration is doing what it can to address a very real and very 
serious problem that is already manifesting itself in changing weather 
patterns, more frequent and hazardous wildfires, and devastating 
droughts.
  This rule is a crucial step toward slowing climate change, developing 
domestic and affordable clean energy technologies, protecting public 
health, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
  Some House Republicans have called the proposed regulations reckless 
and, others, unconstitutional. Some have even suggested adding a rider 
to the appropriations bill to block the rule's implementation.
  As a member of that committee, I can tell you that this would be a 
huge mistake that would threaten to undo the hard-won compromises in 
the bill.
  It is shocking to me the lengths to which the majority is willing to 
go to deny the scientific fact that our planet is warming and that 
human activity is the main cause.
  Here are the facts: First, power plants, today, account for 
approximately one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United 
States, making them the single largest source of carbon pollution.
  The EPA plan will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing power 
plants by an estimated 30 percent from 2005 levels. That is 730 million 
tons of carbon pollution that will not be emitted into the atmosphere, 
warming the climate and causing sea levels to rise.
  Second, the proposal will reduce smog and particulate pollution, 
including nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides, by more than 25 percent 
by the year 2030.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control, asthma prevalence has 
increased from 7.3 percent in 2001 to 8.4 percent in 2010. The proposed 
regulations are estimated to prevent up to 150,000 asthma attacks in 
children and 6,600 premature deaths by 2030.

                              {time}  1015

  Third, the vast majority of the American public supports these new 
rules. In fact, nearly 70 percent of Americans support Federal 
regulations to limit greenhouse gasses from existing power plants
  These new rules won't be easy to implement and we will experience 
some difficulties along the way, but since when does America let a 
challenge prevent us from rolling up our sleeves and getting to work? 
This is a global problem and America must not act alone.
  Just as we lead the world in many aspects, climate change is a 
critical issue where we must lead by example. I call on my colleagues 
to do the right thing. Stop denying the science and get to work. We can 
and we must act together to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, clean 
up our air and waters, and once again lead the way into the future.
  I look forward to the EPA finalizing the proposed rule, and I hope it 
marks just the beginning of our efforts to address climate change 
before it is too late.

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