“With Latinos already disproportionately affected by climate change, the EPA’s attempt to decimate the Clean Power Plan spells disaster for the health, economics and future of Latino and other underserved communities throughout the country.

“The Trump administration’s own analysis found that the Clean Power Plan could prevent as many as 4,500 premature deaths each year by 2030 – more than even President Obama’s EPA estimated — and previous estimates found it could provide up to $61 billion in health and climate benefits per year in 2030.

“By terminating the Plan, the EPA is ignoring its responsibility and moral obligation to protect the health and safety of American families. If we’ve learned anything from last year’s record-breaking hurricane season, the wildfires that have scorched the West, recent extreme flooding events, and record heat, it’s that we need common sense climate action and health protections like the Clean Power Plan.

“This dangerous rollback fits a pattern of creating loopholes for corporate polluters and putting their interests ahead of the health and safety of the American people, as well as costing clean energy jobs and undermining our nation’s transition to cleaner, safer energy sources. The Clean Power Plan encourages investment in sources like wind and solar, creates jobs, drives economic growth, and is supported by a majority of Americans.”

Under the previous administration, the Clean Power Plan was developed after EPA experts conducted extensive technical analysis and engaged in unprecedented public outreach to determine the best way to reduce carbon pollution from power plants. A substantial majority of Americans are concerned about the climate crisis, and nearly two-thirds of Republicans acknowledge climate change. We are deeply disappointed that EPA Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, is acting in stark contradiction of the EPA’s mission to protect our health and the environment by enacting the ACE rule, which guts the Clean Power Plan and puts millions of Americans at risk.