For Immediate Release: September 10th, 2013
Contact: Erika
Staaf, (412) 491-4801, Estaaf@PennEnvironment.org
Pennsylvania Ranks 4th for Global Warming Pollution from Power Plants
[Johnstown, PA] –A new report from PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center finds that Pennsylvania ranks 4th in the country for most carbon pollution from its power plants, the state’s largest single source of global warming pollution. Scientists predict that extreme weather events will become more frequent and severe for future generations, unless we cut the dangerous carbon pollution fueling the problem.
“America's
dirtiest power plants are the elephant in the room when it comes to global
warming," said Erika Staaf, Advocate for PennEnvironment. "If we want
a cleaner, safer future for our kids, we can't afford to ignore power plants'
overwhelming contribution to global warming. For
Pennsylvania, tackling the problem means cleaning up the dirtiest power
plants.”
The report, titled, ‘America’s Dirtiest Power Plants,’ comes
as the Obama administration readies a new set of rules to tackle global
warming. It illustrates the scale of carbon pollution from Pennsylvania power
sector and ranks Pennsylvania biggest carbon polluters.
Key findings from the
report include:
- Pennsylvania’s power plants are the 4th most polluting in the country.
- In Pennsylvania, the top five most polluting power plants are, in order, FirstEnergy’s Bruce Mansfield; Allegheny Energy Supply’s Hatfield Ferry Power Station; GenOn’s Keystone Station; GenOn’s Conemaugh Station; and Midwest Generation’s Homer City Station.
- Pennsylvania’s power plants are its single largest source of carbon pollution - responsible for 47% percent of statewide emissions.
- First Energy’s Bruce Mansfield’s plant is the 8th most carbon-polluting power plant in the nation.
- Pennsylvania’s power plants produce as much carbon each year as nearly 25 million cars.
“We in this nation and
throughout world have some big choices to make, and we have to make them soon,
before it’s too late,” said Rev. William Thwing, Pastor of St. Paul’s United
Church of Christ. “It’s time we woke up and stopped this out of control freight
train that is climate change.”
This summer, President
Obama directed his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to propose limits on
carbon pollution from new and existing power plants, the largest single source
of carbon pollution. In a major step, the EPA is expected to propose an updated
rule for cutting carbon pollution from new power plants on September 20.
243,000 Pennsylvanians have already submitted public comments in support of
limiting carbon pollution from power plants.
"We cannot afford any
further delays in limiting the carbon pollution that increases the risk of
floods, powerful storms, and dangerous heat waves. But we can lead the transition to clean
energy and efficiency and create many family-supporting jobs in the process,”
said Tom Schuster, Campaign Representative with the Sierra Club.
PennEnvironment Research
and Policy Center called on state leaders like Senators Bob Casey and Pat
Toomey to join them in supporting limits on power plants’ carbon pollution. PennEnvironment
Research and Policy Center also advocated state-level strategies to avert the
worst impacts of climate change, including increasing the share of renewable
energy in our energy portfolio and making Pennsylvania a leader again in terms
of our energy efficient building standards.
“Pennsylvania is the 4th
biggest emitter of carbon pollution from the biggest sources. Pennsylvania
cannot wait to act on climate, so it’s critical that our elected leaders step
up and support action,” said Staaf.
###
PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center
is a statewide, environmental organization dedicated to protecting our air
water and open spaces. For more information, visit www.PennEnvironment.org/center
No comments:
Post a Comment