[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S4]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MEMORANDUM OF DISAPPROVAL

  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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