[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H715-H716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CLEAN POWER PLAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lowenthal) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of EPA's 
Clean Power Plan.
  I am concerned that the Supreme Court ruling on the Clean Power Plan 
will significantly and unnecessarily delay the full implementation of 
this important action.
  The longer we wait, the more expensive it will be to reduce 
greenhouse gas pollution and the less chance that we have to keep this 
world's warming below a safe threshold.
  This week's Supreme Court decision only highlights Congress' inaction 
on the issue of climate change as well as the immediate and pressing 
need for action.
  A damaged climate has a negative impact upon our Nation and on my 
southern California community. Changing weather patterns, more frequent 
droughts, worsening air quality, and sea level rise all cost us money 
and threaten the well-being of our families and our neighbors.
  We all want the world to be safe, to be a healthy place to raise our 
families and to grow our economy. Now America has the opportunity to 
lead the world in making our environment safe and healthy, both now and 
into the future.
  We can do this by increasing our use of local, renewable energy 
sources, investing in research and development to bring about the next 
generation of clean and efficient energy systems, and assisting 
communities both here and abroad in adapting to the inevitable changes 
that are caused by the damages that have already been done to the 
climate.
  Reducing emissions from our power sector is a foundational action in 
this endeavor. This is an achievable endeavor.
  America's innovation has given us spaceflight, the Internet, cures to 
disease once thought to be incurable. Our innovation and our leadership 
is paving the way for a cleaner, safer world, and many States have 
already determined how they can meet their goals and reduce carbon 
pollution.
  Cities and electric utilities in my district have taken the 
extraordinary steps in increasing efficiency and sustainable practices 
to reduce their carbon footprint.
  My State of California is on track to exceed its carbon pollution 
reduction goals under the Clean Power Plan. California implemented the 
first statewide carbon trading system and has set ambitious targets for 
increasing renewable energy, increased efficiency, and decreased 
petroleum usage.
  America's leadership like this will save us money and create jobs, 
but if we delay, the costs will be higher to us and especially to our 
children and grandchildren.
  We are not doing this alone. Because greenhouse gases such as carbon 
dioxide spread around the world, no country is immune to the damaged 
climate. No country can fix this problem alone.

[[Page H716]]

  Representatives of over 200 nations recently gathered in Paris and 
agreed on an international agreement to lower greenhouse gas emissions 
and develop strategies to adapt to changing climate.
  This contribution from the world's biggest polluters, including China 
and India, represents 90 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  These international contributions demonstrate how seriously the world 
is taking its moral responsibility to care for our common home, our 
families, and our neighbors.
  This roadmap for the world reduces climate-damaging greenhouse gas 
emissions, increases investments in clean energy development and 
deployment, and assists the most vulnerable communities in adapting to 
climate change.
  But the United States has to do its part. This pause on the Clean 
Power Plan slows down the progress we have been making and puts U.S. 
leadership on climate in question.
  I am deeply troubled by the Supreme Court's decision, but I am 
optimistic that the Clean Power Plan will ultimately be upheld.
  By acting to reduce carbon pollution, we will create more opportunity 
today and a better future tomorrow for all of us.

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