Even while Kentucky and Indiana, two coal-dependant states applauded the Supreme Court’s decision delaying enforcement of the law, leaders in other states and some businesses pledged to move ahead, irrespective of the high court’s ruling.
Colorado, New York, California, Virginia and Washington, and, at least, a dozen more have pledged to continue the work they have already started to come into compliance with the Clean Power plan to combat global warming.
This includes holding stakeholder meetings, setting up and modeling energy and emission scenarios and writing drafts of implementation schemes. Fulfilling these requirements would ensure state’s are steeply cutting carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants over several decades.
The federal rule on combating climate change seeks to get more states to rely on wind, solar and natural gas-fired power, and of course, use less coal. The plan calls for a reduction in carbon emission cuts of 32 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels. The states following through with the president’s plan, according to Renewable Energy World, are forging ahead because carbon regulations are inevitable.
Vocal opposition to the SCOTUS ruling
“We haven’t taken our foot off the gas pedal,” said John Quigley, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, reported Inside Climate News.
Governors from other green states voiced the same sentiments, reports the Courier-Journal. Washington state Governor Jay Inslee said, “The Supreme Court ruling on the Clean Power Plan is very troubling, surprising, and disappointing. And it inexplicably breaks with past rulings in which the high court has called for federal rules to limit the carbon pollution that is driving climate change. We cannot afford to wait any longer for federal action to address carbon pollution and transition to clean energy.”
Even though states opposed to the Clean Power plan are enjoying their victory, it will be short-lived. Clean power, clean air and a better environment for their children and future generations is something most Americans want. Many states and environmental activists say the U.S, is already moving away from coal, one of the dirtiest fossil fuels we have, so it is just a matter of time.
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