Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would use its authority under the Clean Air Act to reduce carbon pollution -- and protect polar bears, other wildlife and our natural resources from the devastating impacts of climate change.
But Congress, backed by polluter lobbyists, is moving quickly to weaken the Clean Air Act -- and prevent decisive action to address climate change.
Tell your senators and representative today and urge them to oppose any attempts to weaken the Clean Air Act that would sabotage efforts to regulate greenhouse gases.
Dear [
Decision Maker],
As a supporter of wildlife and a constituent, I am writing to urge you to oppose any attempts to weaken the Clean Air Act's ability to protect our wildlife, wild places, public health and welfare from harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate change is one of the greatest and most urgent challenges we face today. It poses an unprecedented threat to wildlife, natural resources and human communities.
Fortunately, we have a powerful tool to begin to address climate change. Despite years of special interests using the courts to stall science, greenhouse gas pollutants are being regulated under the Clean Air Act.
The Obama Administration has already issued clean vehicle standards that will save people money at the pump, cut carbon pollution, and create new jobs making more efficient vehicles.
Now they have a plan to ensure that the largest power plants and factories that have long been subject to similar standards for other pollutants use modern technology to reduce their greenhouse gas pollution. The proposal provides an exemption for small carbon emitters.
Instead of embracing this progress, several Members of Congress are attempting to strike at the heart of the Clean Air Act, blocking these actions and letting America's biggest polluters off the hook.
This attack on the Clean Air Act:
* jeopardizes long-overdue action to hold the biggest polluters accountable, putting public health at risk
* keeps the U.S. hooked on- and reliant on- old, polluting energy technologies and delays investment in new clean energy technology and jobs
* inappropriately injects politics into scientific decisions
The Clean Air Act has a 40-year track record of cutting dangerous pollution to protect human health and the environment and spur innovation.
Instead of wasting time standing in the way of progress, Congress should move quickly to enact the comprehensive energy and climate legislation the country needs to build a clean energy economy, create jobs, and protect the environment. We cannot let future generations down with inaction.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.