Washington, DC – Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court rejected emergency requests from big polluters to halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s reasonable carbon pollution standards for power plants.
Until now, power plants have been able to dump carbon pollution without limit, fueling the kind of record-setting extreme weather and subsequent negative economic impact on businesses that we’ve experienced this summer. That’s why the EPA’s carbon pollution standards for existing coal-fired power plants and new gas-fired power plants are a huge win and need to be protected from challenges. These standards will achieve measurable results in curbing climate pollution and protecting businesses and the economy, which continue to be heavily impacted by extreme weather events.
The American Sustainable Business Network’s (ASBN) community of business leaders has supported these rules, sending collectively over 170 comments during the EPA rulemaking process. Business leaders favor regulations on power plants, the second most polluting industry, which continue to externalize their financial impacts. New solar and wind energy plants are more economical to build and run than any of the existing coal power plants. Additionally, renewable energy plants are cheaper than new natural gas-fired plants and may soon be more cost-effective than existing natural gas plants.
Yesterday’s ruling correctly recognizes that emergency requests from big polluters and their allies to delay these safeguards were unnecessary, as the standards will not fully kick in for years. This decision is a victory for businesses, investors, and communities fighting to combat climate change and bring about a more just and sustainable economy.
“The fight isn’t over. Polluters still intend to try to block these crucial, common-sense, and business-smart standards in the lower courts. The lower court must move expeditiously to rule on the merits of the case,” said David Levine, ASBN President and Co-founder. “At ASBN, we will continue to be a voice for businesses and investors, defend our economy, and push for more federal action that addresses climate pollution, protects public health, and allows businesses and investors to thrive.”
