Upper Midwest Unites, Supports the EPA’s Move to Clear the Air
Fifty organizations in the Upper Midwest- representing more than 450 staff members- have signed on to a public comment letter for the Environmental Protection Agency, supporting its move to regulate global warming pollution on the ground that it is detrimental to public health and welfare. The organizations come from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
“The Administration's historic greenhouse gas regulation policy shift marks the beginning of a healthier American population and American economy,” the public comment letter reads. “The United States, once the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, can be a leader in the transition to safer and more efficient forms of energy to fuel the future of America's economy. We in the Midwest hope to play a major role in this transition.”
The eight states comprise a regional network of organizations called RE-AMP. It aims to reduce global warming pollution 80 percent by 2030 through renewable energy, reduced coal, energy efficiency and better transportation choices.
The EPA issued a proposed report in April, finding that six greenhouse gases endanger human health (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride). If finalized, the document would legally bind the EPA to regulate global warming pollution through utilities, automobiles, and other large polluters. The public comment period ends today (June 23).
The group welcomes the EPA’s measure, as it will help the Midwest capitalize on its renewable energy potential.
“We believe that the Midwest has the human and natural resources to thrive in a low carbon energy future,” the letter reads. “Our farmers will benefit from the development of wind energy and biofuels, our builders will build new high-speed rail systems, we will train an army of workers to retrofit our buildings for maximum energy savings, and our manufacturing facilities will provide the supply chain for the wind turbines, solar panels, and clean, efficient automobiles that we need in this Century.”
The 50 organizations that signed on to the public comment letter include the following: 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Alliance for Sustainability, Citizen's Utility Board – WI, Clean Water Action – Michigan, Clean Water Action – Minnesota, Clean Wisconsin, Dakota Resource Council, Ecology Center, Environment Illinois, Environment Minnesota, Environment Ohio, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Faith In Place, Fresh Energy, Garfield Foundation, Global Exchange, Growth and Justice, Honor the Earth, Illinois PIRG, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Intertribal COUP, Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa Policy Project, Iowa Renewable Energy Association, Izaak Walton League of America - Midwest Office, LEED Council - Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative, Michigan Energy Alternatives Project, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Land Use Institute, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Minnesota Project, Ohio Environmental Council, Plains Justice, Renew Wisconsin, Sierra Club - Iowa Chapter, Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter, Sierra Club – Illinois Chapter, Sierra Club Michigan, Sierra Club - North Star Chapter, Sierra Club Ohio, The Green Institute, Union of Concerned Scientists, Valley Watch, Will Steger Foundation, Wisconsin Environment, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, WISPIRG.
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