The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed the first national standards to limit climate-changing carbon pollution from new power plants. By helping address climate change, these rules would help protect the health of Maine’s families, natural resource-based economy, and environment.
Representatives from the EPA were in Portland last Thursday, May 17th to hear Maine perspectives on their standard. Curt Spalding, EPA Regional Administrator, provided a background on the proposed standard. His overview was followed by thirteen panelists providing diverse comments on climate change impacts in Maine and their perspectives on the proposed standard. Panelists included business leaders from forestry to tourism sectors, physicians, energy experts, local elected officials, scientists, and a college president. After the panel presentation, members of the public commented on the proposed standard. More than 125 members of the public attended.
Here in Maine, there are increasing signs of how vulnerable our health, environment, and economy are to climate change. EPA’s proposed standard bolsters the ongoing trend in the power sector to build cleaner sources of energy that take advantage of American‐made technologies and resources.
If you missed the event, you can listen to the different speakers here.
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