WASHINGTON, DC (August 3, 2015) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today finalized the Clean Power Plan, which sets the first-ever limits for carbon pollution from existing power plants. The BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Kim Glas:

“The Clean Power Plan is an important step in reducing carbon emissions and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. Now begins the critical work of developing state-based plans that can create and secure quality family-sustaining jobs, provide opportunities for disproportionately impacted communities, and encourage investment and economic growth. The BlueGreen Alliance is committed across our partnership and in the states to ensuring compliance with the plan to create opportunities for high-wage job growth, such as through investment in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies.

“The Clean Power Plan provides flexibility for states to design an implementation plan that can complement their state and regional economies. Implemented right, this path best helps states proactively develop job creation strategies and recognize adverse job and community impacts where they may occur and create a program to address them. Across our partnership, we are fully committed to working on the ground to find common sense solutions and secure opportunities for economic growth. States that reject the opportunity to develop a State Implementation Plan—triggering a federally imposed plan—will miss out on an important and critical opportunity to shape a plan that meets their needs.

“State and federal lawmakers must allow the process to work and, alongside workers and communities, help to ensure the development of a successful state plan.

“Climate change is an environmental problem and an economic problem. But if we do this right, our actions to address it can become an opportunity. We look forward to working together in the coming months to develop an inclusive and comprehensive plan that protects our environment and creates growth and shared prosperity for generations to come.”