Remarks on Proposed Power Plant Regulations to Tackle the Climate Crisis, As Prepared for Delivery
Michael Regan
University of Maryland
Thank you, Anushka, for that wonderful introduction. I’d also like to thank Lisa Thompson from EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. As you can see, we’re not only listening to our young people, but we are involving our young people, because they deserve a seat at the table.
I’d like to give a special shout out to the career staff from EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation here today. This announcement would not have been possible without your persistence, your heart, and your commitment to protecting all of our communities from harmful pollution.
Governor Moore, I appreciate you being here. Thank you for your incredible leadership and all that you do for the people of Maryland.
Representative Ivey, thank you for joining, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to your community.
Thank you to Senior Vice President and Provost, Jennifer King Rice, and the University of Maryland for hosting us.
Thank you to Dr. Sacoby Wilson, Director of the Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health, here at the university.
And thank you to the staff and faculty at UMD who had a hand in pulling together this remarkable event. I’m humbled and truly grateful.
The best moments of my job as EPA Administrator are times like this, when I engage with young people.
Without fail, I’m energized and inspired by your spirit…your passion…and your commitment to holding your government, and your leaders accountable.
Time and time again, history has shown us that the younger generations are always at the forefront of social and political change.
It was a group of North Carolina A&T State University students who refused to vacate a segregated lunch counter in 1960 — catalyzing a national sit-in movement that played an integral role in desegregating our country…
It was groups of student activists who led nationwide protests to lower the national voting age from 21 to 18 — arguing that if 18 is old enough to fight, and potentially die for your country —18 is, indeed, old enough to have a say in your country’s democracy. Their campaign led to the 26th amendment of the U.S Constitution, adopted in 1971.
And in fact, the very first Earth Day in 1970 was led by students and grassroots activists who envisioned a cleaner and healthier world where all people could thrive.
Every generation has its own defining challenge — one that shapes countless lives and impacts the future for decades to come.
And climate change is that challenge for you. Your participation, your ideas, and your voice will aid in shaping the course of history.
Scientists have long warned the world about the changes in the earth’s weather patterns driven by human activity, but it’s your generation that has picked up the mantel and is pushing progress forward in a way that the world has never seen before.
All across this country, you all are sounding the alarm, demanding action, and sparking a global movement to address the urgency of the climate crisis.
It is very important that you know we see you. We hear you. And I know for certain that President Biden does too.
That’s why, when President Biden took office, he launched the most ambitious climate agenda in U.S. history.
Because in every corner of our nation, Americans are seeing and feeling the devastating impacts of climate change.
From the uncontrollable wildfires out West, that have engulfed entire communities in a matter of hours — forcing families to abandon their homes and the lives they once knew…
To the devastating hurricanes throughout the Gulf and on the East Coast, that have swept away homes and businesses, leaving only remnants of destruction in its path...
All while prolonged droughts threaten our food production, ocean warming fuels more catastrophic and destructive storms, upending lives across this country, and across the world…
It’s clear that we’ve reached a pivotal point in human history, and it’s on us to act now to protect our future.
This administration is committed to meeting the urgency of the climate crisis, and taking the necessary actions required, and EPA is central to that commitment.
At EPA, we are taking decisive climate action under the Clean Air Act that, when fully realized, would reduce the equivalent of more than 15 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution between 2022 and 2055.
For perspective, that’s equivalent to nearly 10 years of carbon dioxide pollution from the entire power sector or equal to roughly three years of total U.S. carbon pollution.
First, we issued a proposal to reduce methane from the oil and natural gas sector.
Second, we are phasing out the US production and consumption of HFCs by 85%.
When released into the atmosphere, HFCs can have a climate impact thousands of times stronger than carbon dioxide.
Third, just last month, we proposed new pollution standards for cars, trucks and heavy-duty vehicles…that when finalized, would set the strongest pollution standards for greenhouse gases and other harmful air pollutants in EPA’s history.
And today, I’m proud to announce yet another step by EPA to help combat the climate crisis. Today, we are proposing new, technology standards that would significantly reduce greenhouse pollution from fossil-fuel fired power plants…protecting public health and protecting our planet.
When finalized, these technology standards are expected to avoid 617 million metric tons of carbon dioxide through the year 2042.
Folks, that’s equivalent to the annual emissions of 137 million cars and passenger vehicles, roughly half of annual US car emissions, or all US car emissions in six months.
As a matter of fact, in 2021, the power sector was the largest stationary source of greenhouse gases, emitting 25 percent of overall domestic emissions.
Not only would this proposal improve air quality nationwide, but it will bring substantial health benefits to communities across this country — especially frontline communities that have unjustly borne the burden of pollution.
At EPA, we are working every day to ensure that all people, no matter the color of their skin, the money in their pocket, or the community they live in, realize the full protections of our environmental laws, and today’s announcement only solidifies our commitment to protecting those most vulnerable among us.
Our work is not about sacrifice, or restrictions. It is about seizing the moment and understanding that we have an obligation to not only leave behind a healthier planet for the generations that will come after us, but to leave behind a fairer and more just society.
To leave behind a nation with a thriving economy, good-paying jobs, and energy security.
Folks, this is our future we’re talking about, and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real climate action.
Failure is not an option.
Indifference is not an option.
Inaction is not an option.
And let me be clear, it’s not about party affiliation or politics… it’s about uniting as a society…as a nation…as people… for the greater good of humanity.
It’s about recognizing and acknowledging that we may not exactly agree on the how, but we must agree on the what.
We may not see eye to eye on policy, or solutions, but we are in this fight together.
There’s no question that we have a lot more work ahead of us, and so much of what we’ve achieved already is because of you – because of your generation’s work to ensure that climate change is THE topic of conversation on the world stage.
And it is important that you never forget how vital your role is in creating – and demanding – a cleaner, healthier, and fairer world.
And for that reason, I’m proud to announce that I am proposing the establishment of a brand-new new federal advisory committee – the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC).
This committee, the first of its kind, will give young people – as young as 16 – the opportunity to make recommendations directly to me and to all of EPA. Because young people always deserve a seat at the table.
The work is not yet done, and we need you… all of you. We need your courage and your compassion, your sense of justice and your ambition.
We must get this right; we only have one planet, and your voices play a critical role in ensuring that we do.
Thank you.