CHC Chair Says Clean Power Plan Repeal Puts the Health of Americans at Risk

Statement

Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement after the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt's announced that the Trump administration intends to repeal the Clean Power Plan, putting our environment, health, economy, and national security at risk:

"The Trump administration's repeal of the Clean Power Plan without any plan to reduce carbon pollution and fight climate change is egregiously irresponsible and will have severe consequences for the health and well-being of our communities and planet. This is especially concerning as we increasingly see the devastating health and economic costs of severe droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes. We must move forward with solutions that mitigate the problem at hand, rather than denying one exists.

"Reversing the Clean Power Plan means we are negatively impacting the health of millions of Americans. Sadly, Hispanic communities are the most vulnerable to extreme weather events and suffer from higher incidences of health issues stemming from environmental pollution. Over 24 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma, including over three million Hispanics. But this isn't just about protecting the health and well-being of our communities, but also ensuring that our planet does not suffer from the consequences of continued greenhouse emissions, which contribute to rising sea levels and our warming planet."

The Clean Power Plan would reduce carbon pollution in the United States by over 30% by 2030, while saving consumers $155 billion, creating jobs, and preventing 90,000 childhood asthma attacks.

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