FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2018
Contact: Peter Nierengarten
Director of Sustainability
Sustainability Department
479.575.8272
pnierengarten@fayetteville-ar.gov
Mayor Jordan Joins Hundreds of Mayors Opposing Repeal of Clean Power Plan
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — This week, Mayor Lioneld Jordan joined mayors from across the United States to oppose repeal of the Clean Power Plan (CPP). A letter signed by 233 mayors from 47 states and territories expresses strong opposition to current Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) efforts 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 stronger and more destructive extreme weather events. Read the Climate Mayors letter here.
The existing Clean Power Plan is an essential public health protection and climate change solution that sets the first ever federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants and helps cities transition to a clean energy economy. The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed to repeal the CPP and is taking public input on that proposal.
“Climate change poses a very serious threat, but also a significant economic opportunity for our City and our nation. Fayetteville is committed to working with leaders of other cities, states, universities, and businesses to combat climate change by supporting a low-carbon economy and creating good jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy,” said Mayor Jordan. “That is why I joined mayors from across America urging the federal government to provide certainty and support for local government and business by keeping the Clean Power Plan intact, as well as to protect the health and welfare of our communities.”
Mayors from communities with diverse landscapes and weather patterns broadly agreed that the economic costs of climate change should not be overlooked and that national policies, such as the CPP significantly impact local efforts to improve public health, increase air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy innovation.
The current Clean Power Plan would 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 – pursuing ambitious plans to cut carbon pollution, spark innovation, and build a clean, safe, and secure future for their residents.
On January 2, 2018 – Fayetteville’s City Council voted 7-1 to adopt the City’s first Energy Action Plan (EAP) which is organized around community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and clean energy supply. The Energy Action Plan provides a framework for the City’s ongoing efforts to be a resource- and energy-efficient community. The plan – which addresses local effects of climate change, energy efficiency efforts, and clean energy production – is the first of its kind to be adopted in Arkansas. Fayetteville is the 54th city in the United States to adopt a goal of 100 percent community-wide clean energy. More information about the plan can be found at www.fayetteville-ar.gov/energyactionplan.
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