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Las Cruces Mayor Joins More Than 200 Mayors In Rejecting Repeal Of Clean Power Plan

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima
Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima-City of Las Cruces photo
Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima

Commentary: Today, Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima joined more than 200 mayors from across the U.S. to express his support for the Clean Power Plan (CPP) – an essential public health protection and climate change solution that sets the first-ever federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants and helps cities transition to a clean energy economy.

The Trump Administration is trying to repeal the CPP in spite of support from mayors, state leaders and state businesses. In a letter, 233 mayors from 46 states and territories strongly opposed efforts by the Trump administration and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, as it would have devastating health and economic impacts on their communities, including exposing Americans to increased air pollution, worsening climate change, and stronger and more destructive extreme weather events.

We recognize that clean energy is a win-win for the city, country, and planet. Investing in clean energy solutions reduces air and carbon pollution, promotes a clean energy economy, and creates good-paying American jobs. The use of fossil fuels comes with many serious risks; it is time for a change,” said Mayor Miyagishima. “That is why I joined mayors from across America to urge the federal government to provide certainty and support for local government and business by keeping the Clean Power Plan intact, as well as to protect the health and welfare of our communities.”

A Trump administration analysis found that the Clean Power Plan could prevent as many as 4,500 premature deaths each year by 2030 – an estimate higher than even previous EPA projections. The Clean Power Plan would also accelerate the transition to clean energy that is already underway. Clean energy jobs have seen incredible growth in recent years, with solar and wind jobs growing at a rate 12 times faster than the rest of the U.S. economy. Cities are on the front line of climate change, with more than 200 cities pursuing ambitious plans to cut carbon pollution, spark innovation, and build a clean, safe, and secure future for their residents.

The full letter can be found at http://climatemayors.org/actions/clean-power-plan