WHEREAS, In 2015, the Obama Administration unveiled the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to lower carbon dioxide emissions from power generators by 32 percent by 2030, thereby reducing global warming; and
WHEREAS, The Clean Power Plan would require power plants to adhere to standards that reduce carbon pollution dumping, specifically set according to each state’s individual energy consumption. The plan would also incentivize states to begin early deployment of renewable energy and low-income energy efficiency programs; and
WHEREAS, The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that the plan would reduce pollutants that contribute to smog and soot by 25 percent, which would lead to climate and health benefits between an estimated $25 billion and $45 billion per year in 2030. It also estimated that, as a result of this pollutant reduction, there would be a decrease in asthma attacks and premature deaths. Finally, it estimated that, by 2030, the plan would save the average family $85 per year in energy bills and create 30 percent more renewable energy resources; and
WHEREAS, The League of Conservation Voters announced at the time that the act was the largest effort towards addressing climate change that the United States of America had ever taken. The National Resources Defense Council estimated that the plan would lead to the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs; and
WHEREAS, The Clean Power Plan never went into effect. Almost immediately upon announcement, opponents sued the Environmental Protection Agency. The City of Philadelphia joined a coalition of 24 states, cities, and counties to defend the Clean Power Plan against the lawsuit. Mayor Jim Kenney articulated the rationale for the lawsuit, stating that “alignment between local, state and federal government is essential to meeting the climate imperative”; and
WHEREAS, In March 2017, President Trump signed the Executive Order on Energy Independence, which called for a review of the Clean Power Plan. Philadelphia joined 20 cities and states in sending a letter to the United States Environmental Protection Agency voicing their disagreement with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt over his stance on the Clean Power Plan; and
WHEREAS, In October 2017, the Trump administration formally called for the repeal of the Clean Power Plan. Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune stated that by repealing the Clean Power Plan, the Trump administration will be “giving the fossil fuel industry a free pass to keep polluting our air while our families pay the price”; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf and the Department of Environmental Protection voiced their opposition to the repeal of the Clean Power Plan, and indicated that they will continue working towards reducing Pennsylvania’s carbon footprint, despite the Trump administration’s action; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby urge the Trump administration to rescind its decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan.
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