The following post is by BlueGreen Alliance intern Natasha Patel. 

Joining over 2.1 million supporters strong across the country, the BlueGreen Alliance today submitted thousands of comments in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Carbon Pollution Standard. The comment period ended today and BGA staff and Matt Sinclair — a member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) who collected signatures and letters of support for the last several weeks — dropped off thousands of comments at EPA that were collected by organizers across the country and collected online through www.bluegreenalliance.org.

The standard, which would limit greenhouse gas emissions from future power plants, has seen tremendous support nationally from both workers and environmentalists alike, conveying an unprecedented sense of unity among U.S. citizens in the fight against climate change. Since the EPA first announced the proposed standard over two months ago, organizers from the BlueGreen Alliance have collected comments, petitions, and letters of support from local unions and union groups representing over 240,000 union workers nationwide at events and conferences across the country.

Additionally, the BlueGreen Alliance and the Economic Policy Institute submitted a joint economic analysis as a comment, which focuses on the economic benefits of the Carbon Pollution Standard when combined with complementary efforts. This analysis shows how the opposition’s argument of viewing the proposed standard as a “job-killer” is wrong; that with complementary policies the standard can reduce electricity costs and boost capital spending, setting the stage for good job creation.

The Carbon Pollution Standard will play a critical role in driving investment in clean energy technologies, which is important for reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and in protecting public health and our environment for future generations.

Thank you to the 240,000 union workers and environmentalists who joined our cause for good jobs and a clean environment over the last few months! We know that the EPA and the administration will hear your voice, and we hope that this important standard will be finalized in the near future.