Heinrich Statement On EPA Proposal To Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Senate Climate Action Task Force, released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new plan to limit carbon dioxide pollution across the country for existing power plants. The proposal aims to reduce carbon emissions nationwide by an average of 30 percent over 2005 levels by 2030, with different specific targets for each state.

The rule would require New Mexico to reduce its carbon emissions from 1,586 pounds per megawatt hour in 2012 to 1,049 pounds per megawatt hour. New Mexico is well positioned to meet this target based on already-planned transitions away from coal to natural gas and renewable energy sources.

"Climate change is a fact that is a problem in New Mexico today and not just at some far off date in the future.  We're already seeing the effects of climate change manifest in more extreme drought conditions, larger wildfires, shrinking forests, and increased flooding when we do receive precipitation.  The longer we wait to act, the more difficult and expensive the solutions will be and the more unpredictable our weather will become. 

"The EPA deserves credit for showing the leadership to actively take on climate change rather than embracing the pseudo-science and denial that is embraced by far too many in Washington today.  This nation has never solved a single problem by denying the facts.

"Over the coming days I will be looking closely at the details of this rule to make sure it is flexible, achievable, and guided by the best available science.  But let me be clear, inaction and denial are not solutions to this very real crisis.  The time has come for us to act in the best interest of our children and all future Americans.  They deserve to inherit a safe and healthy environment." 

A copy of the proposal is available here.