Senator Kirk Votes In Favor of the Clean Power Plan
Media Contacts
Environment Illinois
“Rather than take us backwards, we need politicians to propel us forward on the course charted by the Clean Power Plan, one which ends with deep cuts in pollution and 100 percent clean, renewable energy.”
— Travis Madsen, Environment Illinois
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted to block the Clean Power Plan, the first-ever federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants and the centerpiece of President Obama’s plan to tackle climate change. Illinois Senator Mark Kirk opposed the measure, instead siding with those who support action to reduce pollution and protect our children’s future.
The president has promised to veto the resolution by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R- W.Va.), which blocks the limits on existing plants that are projected to save thousands of lives and hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks.
Senator Kirk’s vote comes as Governor Rauner is determining how to implement the Clean Power Plan in Illinois. The Clean Jobs Bill before the state legislature would help Illinois meet and exceed Clean Power Plan targets through energy efficiency and renewable energy, while creating 32,000 new jobs per year.
Travis Madsen, State Climate Campaign Director for Environment Illinois, issued this statement:
“The American people support climate action and cleaner air, and that’s why they support carbon pollution limits on power plants by wide margins. By voting to reverse the Clean Power Plan, the Senate is siding with big polluters instead of our kids’ health and a safer climate.
“Senator Kirk deserves credit for standing on the right side of history last night and voting to support the Clean Power Plan. The Clean Power Plan is the biggest action the U.S. has ever taken on climate, and it is already helping us lead the world toward a strong international agreement to slash greenhouse gas emissions. Rather than take us backwards, we need politicians to propel us forward on the course charted by the Clean Power Plan, one which ends with deep cuts in pollution and 100 percent clean, renewable energy.
“Governor Rauner should follow Senator Kirk’s lead and move forward with implementing the Clean Power Plan in Illinois by maximizing energy efficiency and renewable power.”
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Environment Illinois is a statewide advocacy organization bringing people together for a cleaner, greener, healthier future. www.EnvironmentIllinois.org
