Senators Blumenthal and Murphy Urge President Obama to Cut Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

Environment Connecticut

Hartford, CT — U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy sent a letter to President Obama today, describing the devastation that Hurricane Sandy caused in Connecticut, and urging him to set limits on carbon pollution from power plants. Scientists have warned that global warming is helping to intensify extreme weather events, and power plants are the largest source of the carbon pollution that’s fueling global warming. The letter, which was also signed by senators from New Jersey and New York, was loudly applauded by Environment Connecticut and others.

“Senators Blumenthal and Murphy are showing what leadership in tackling global warming looks like,” said Chris Phelps, with Environment Connecticut. “Hurricane Sandy was a tragic example of how devastating extreme weather events can be for Connecticut communities. By pushing President Obama to clean up the largest sources of the pollution fueling global warming, Sensators Blumenthal and Murphy are standing up for those communities and for future generations.”

Hurricane Sandy caused approximately $360 million worth of damage and destroyed or damaged approximately 3,000 homes in Connecticut. Scientists have warned that global warming is helping to intensify extreme weather events like Hurricane Sandy, and will lead to even more extreme weather in the future.

Power plants are the largest single source of the carbon pollution that’s fueling global warming, yet there are currently no federal limits on these facilities’ carbon emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed limits on carbon pollution from new power plants last year, and 3.2 million Americans commented in support of the standards, but the administration has yet to finalize the standards—or propose limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants.

“President Obama has said we have an obligation to future generations to address global warming. We and millions of Americans agree, and we urge the president to heed the call by Senators Blumenthal and Murphy to clean up the largest sources of the pollution fueling global warming: power plants,” concluded Phelps.

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