Environment Maine Lauds King and Collins for Voting Last Night in Support of U.S. Clean Power Plan

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Laura Dorle

Environment Maine

“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. That’s why we couldn’t be more thankful to Senator King and Senator Collins for voting against this attack.” 
— Laura Dorle, Environment Maine

 

PORTLAND, ME– Last night, the U.S. Senate voted to pass two resolutions to reverse 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. However, our senators from Maine, Senator King and Senator Collins, voted against these resolutions. 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. The Senate also voted to pass a measure to block rules on new power plants. The measures did not pass with enough votes to override a presidential veto, thanks in part to key votes from our U.S. senators from Maine.

 

Laura Dorle, Global Warming Solutions campaign organizer for Environment Maine, issued this statement:
 
“Maine people support climate action and cleaner air, and that’s why they support carbon pollution limits on power plants by wide margins. Even though these resolutions to reverse the Clean Power Plan passed, we are so proud of our senators for voting on the side of climate action and Maine people, rather than siding with big polluters and climate deniers instead of our kids’ health and a safer climate.
 
“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.”

 

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Environment Maine is the statewide, citizen-based advocacy organization working for a cleaner, greener, healthier future for Maine.