Rep. Ellison On President Obama's Plan To Address Climate Change: Time For Congress To Act

Statement

Following President Obama's announcement of a new climate action plan to slow the effects of climate change, Rep. Keith Ellison, (D-MN), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement:

"Today, President Obama delivered a plan to help protect current and future generations from the devastating effects of climate change. We need to do everything we can to reduce emissions of dangerous carbon pollution. The President's plan puts a timeline on the best way to address climate change: reducing carbon pollution from power plants, and uses the purchasing power of the federal government to choose renewable energy. The plan also helps farmers deal with extreme weather like droughts caused by climate change, and invests in the most sensible, cost effective and job creating solution: energy efficiency.

"We will not solve the climate crisis with gradual steps alone. Congress should meet the challenge by putting a price on carbon pollution, which has support across the political spectrum, and was included the Congressional Progressive Caucus Back to Work Budget for fiscal year 2014. We should end corporate handouts for fossil fuel companies and invest that money in green jobs and renewable energy.

"Communities across the country are already feeling the consequences of climate change. Failing to act will lead to more droughts, wild fires, and destructive storms like Hurricane Sandy across our country. Minnesotans personally felt the effects of radical weather patterns when a storm this weekend knocked out power for over 500,000 residents. The President took the first step in a plan for action today. Now it's time for Congress to act."

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