Statement by Kevin Knobloch, President, Union of Concerned Scientists

WASHINGTON (March 27, 2012)—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today will release proposed standards to limit carbon emissions from new power plants, according to press reports.

Rachel Cleetus, a climate economist at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) will post updates on the rules throughout the day on her blog.

Below is a statement by UCS president Kevin Knobloch:

“The EPA is taking a historic step to trim carbon emissions and help create a cleaner, healthier and more modern energy future. The administration is taking prudent action to address the dangers of unchecked climate change that an overwhelming majority of scientists have been warning us about for years.

“Carbon emissions alter our climate and harm Americans’ health. Fortunately, we have the technology to reduce them. Turning on more renewable energy can curb our emissions and put innovative technology – and more Americans -- to work.

“This rule, while not perfect, signals that more of our future energy needs will be met by clean, affordable, and reliable sources of energy. At the same time, EPA also must focus on the main source of power plant carbon emissions—existing coal-fired plants, many of them more than 50 years old, which are responsible for nearly 40 percent of U.S. carbon emissions.”

“While much more needs to be done to truly address the challenge of climate change, the EPA’s actions today are another welcome step.”

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C.