POTUS Clean Power Plan

Statement

Rep. Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, today released the following statement on President Obama's Clean Power Plan to fight global climate change:

"I applaud President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency for establishing the first-ever national standards to limit carbon pollution from power plants. Power plants are the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions and they produce over one-third of all domestic greenhouse emissions. If fully enacted, the Clean Power Plan will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent -- bringing carbon emissions below 2005 levels by the year 2030.

"I understand the urgency associated with combating these sources of pollution. As the representative of a district with a large Latino community, my constituents stand to lose the most if we fail to implement these guidelines. Nationwide, 31% of Latinos live within 30 miles of a power plant and are 165% more likely to live in counties with unhealthy levels of pollution. The consequences of these environmental conditions are evident in the high rates of asthma among the Latino community. Today, over 3.6 million Latinos suffer from asthma, including one in ten Latino children. These numbers are unacceptable.

"The Clean Power Plan may very well serve as a turning point for the United States--and the world--in our efforts to protect public health and preserve our environment. On behalf of my constituents, and the 28 million Latinos living in areas with unhealthy levels of pollution, I am proud to stand with President Obama and I urge full implementation of the Clean Power Plan."

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