This article is 5 years old. It was published on February 20, 2018.
Today, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson joined over 200 mayors from across the United States to express her support for the Clean Power Plan – a key tool for protecting public health and addressing climate change. The Clean Power Plan would set federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants, and help cities transition to a clean energy economy. The Trump Administration is trying to repeal the Clean Power Plan, in spite of support from mayors, state leaders and businesses.
In a letter, 233 mayors from 46 states and territories strongly opposed efforts by the Trump administration and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, as it would have devastating health and economic impacts on their communities, including exposing Americans to increased air pollution, worsening climate change, and contributing to stronger and more destructive extreme weather events.
“At the local level, we understand the economic, environmental and health benefits of clean energy solutions, and acutely understand the risks associated with fossil fuel energy sources.” said Mayor Krewson. “That is why I joined mayors from across America to urge the federal government to provide certainty and support for local government and business, by keeping the Clean Power Plan intact.”
Accelerating clean and renewable energy is a key objective of the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan for the City of St. Louis. The Climate plan expands upon the City of St. Louis Sustainability Plan, and outlines climate mitigation strategies that protects the health of citizens, produces environmental benefits, and result in local economic benefits.
A Trump administration analysis found that the Clean Power Plan could prevent as many as 4,500 premature deaths each year by 2030 – an estimate higher than even previous EPA projections. The Clean Power Plan would also accelerate the transition to clean energy that is already underway. Clean energy jobs have seen incredible growth in recent years, with solar and wind jobs growing at a rate 12 times faster than the rest of the U.S. economy. Cities are on the front line of climate change, with more than 200 cities pursuing ambitious plans to cut carbon pollution, spark innovation, and build a clean, safe, and secure future for their residents.
The full letter can be found here: http://climatemayors.org/actions/clean-power-plan.
Office of the Mayor