Chris Van Hollen: “This week, world leaders are meeting in Paris to address the serious threat of climate change. Across the globe and here…”

“This week, world leaders are meeting in Paris to address the serious threat of climate change. Across the globe and here at home, there is broad recognition of the need to act decisively to curb the climate crisis that threatens our communities. And yet today we are considering legislation that would allow continued carbon pollution, jeopardizing public health and the environment. The President's Clean Power Plan limits carbon pollution from new and existing power plants for the first time ever. It is a flexible, meaningful plan that will help states transition to clean energy sources and greater efficiency. It was developed with extensive stakeholder outreach. And it will create jobs, reduce the toxic pollution that is a leading contributor to climate change, and protect public health. The resolutions on the Floor today would stop this common sense plan and prohibit any similar measure. And Congressional Republicans are not offering any plan to replace it. They continue to deny the problem of climate change, even in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence and the damaging storms, increased flooding, and drought that are already impacting our communities. They are ignoring the warnings from our Department of Defense, who call climate change a threat multiplier throughout the world. We have the opportunity to lead, to expand opportunities in 21st century energy, and to protect our environment for future generations. The world is watching.…”