FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2014
Contact: Anne Waple, 617-722-0036 ext. 204, awaple@secondnature.org
The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment Supports
EPA Proposal to Reduce Emissions from Power Plants
EPA Proposal to Reduce Emissions from Power Plants
BOSTON, MA - The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) sent a letter to President Obama on May 25, 2014, expressing support for the Administration's proposed regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants. In its letter, the ACUPCC, a high-visibility and voluntary effort led by presidents and chancellors focusing on sustainability and climate issues, commended the Administration's efforts to address the climate crisis by limiting carbon pollution.
Representing 684 colleges and universities, and educating nearly 6.5 million students in all 50 states, the ACUPCC network has been one of the most successful voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the world. In the letter to President Obama, Dr. Wim Wiewel, President of Portland State University and Chair of the ACUPCC Steering Committee noted, "Large-scale reductions in emissions will require more than voluntary efforts from one sector, and this letter of support to President Obama is consistent with that realization." See the ACUPCC letter in its entirety.
In 2013, President Obama's Climate Action Plan tasked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with setting guidelines for greenhouse gas pollution from power plants and directed the agency to engage stakeholders from municipalities, business, states, the public, and others in reviewing the proposed approach. The proposed regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, will be issued by EPA on June 2, 2014, pursuant to the Clean Air Act, section 111(d), which targets pollution from existing sources. This action complements findings from the recently published Third U.S. National Climate Assessment, which highlights the need for more aggressive emissions reduction if the worst impacts of climate change are to be avoided.
The ACUPCC has taken a leadership role in reducing emissions across the higher education sector, having long-acknowledged the seriousness of the climate change challenge and the role of higher education in modeling societal solutions. Added Dr. Wiewel, "Addressing the climate crisis through reducing carbon pollution from power plants fits squarely into the educational, research, and public service missions of higher education. We believe that our action in support of a flexible but ambitious federal carbon standard for existing power plants will encourage widespread compliance and pollution reductions, and we commend the President for his leadership."
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About Second Nature:
Second Nature works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable society beginning with the transformation of higher education. Second Nature is the supporting organization of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and the Alliance for Resilient Campuses (ARC).
Learn more at: www.secondnature.org
About the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC):
The ACUPCC is an active partnership among more than 680 colleges and universities to accelerate the education, research and community engagement to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate, while setting an example by eliminating net greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations.
Learn more at: www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org
Representing 684 colleges and universities, and educating nearly 6.5 million students in all 50 states, the ACUPCC network has been one of the most successful voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the world. In the letter to President Obama, Dr. Wim Wiewel, President of Portland State University and Chair of the ACUPCC Steering Committee noted, "Large-scale reductions in emissions will require more than voluntary efforts from one sector, and this letter of support to President Obama is consistent with that realization." See the ACUPCC letter in its entirety.
In 2013, President Obama's Climate Action Plan tasked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with setting guidelines for greenhouse gas pollution from power plants and directed the agency to engage stakeholders from municipalities, business, states, the public, and others in reviewing the proposed approach. The proposed regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, will be issued by EPA on June 2, 2014, pursuant to the Clean Air Act, section 111(d), which targets pollution from existing sources. This action complements findings from the recently published Third U.S. National Climate Assessment, which highlights the need for more aggressive emissions reduction if the worst impacts of climate change are to be avoided.
The ACUPCC has taken a leadership role in reducing emissions across the higher education sector, having long-acknowledged the seriousness of the climate change challenge and the role of higher education in modeling societal solutions. Added Dr. Wiewel, "Addressing the climate crisis through reducing carbon pollution from power plants fits squarely into the educational, research, and public service missions of higher education. We believe that our action in support of a flexible but ambitious federal carbon standard for existing power plants will encourage widespread compliance and pollution reductions, and we commend the President for his leadership."
---
About Second Nature:
Second Nature works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable society beginning with the transformation of higher education. Second Nature is the supporting organization of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and the Alliance for Resilient Campuses (ARC).
Learn more at: www.secondnature.org
About the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC):
The ACUPCC is an active partnership among more than 680 colleges and universities to accelerate the education, research and community engagement to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate, while setting an example by eliminating net greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations.
Learn more at: www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org
Publication Date:
Tuesday, May 27, 2014