Kirsten Lew: Maintain power plan

The Clean Power Plan was the result of years of effort from scientists, public health professionals, concerned citizens, the military, engineers, President Obama and the EPA.

That hard work paid off with what will be the largest step we’ve taken in the fight against climate change, but it’s critical that the Clean Power Plan remains intact amid upcoming judicial challenges.

As President Obama mentioned in his recent speech, our history shows us that carbon dioxide emission regulation is not only necessary for our and the coming generations’ health, it is an opportunity to unleash the power of American innovation.

When acid rain threatened northern forests and our health, we acted in spite of complaints from the fossil fuel sector. And lo and behold, our economy flourished, and our air and water got cleaner.

American ingenuity has proved that it will prevail when polluters are challenged, but the health of millions might not. That’s why it is critical we come together to defend the Clean Power Plan and demand power companies do better.

This story was originally published August 7, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Kirsten Lew: Maintain power plan."