Washington, D.C. – April 25, 2024 – Gina McCarthy, Managing Co-Chair of America Is All In and former White House national climate advisor and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, released the following statement on EPA’s rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and waste from the power sector.

Statement from Gina McCarthy, Managing Co-Chair of America Is All In, former White House national climate advisor, and former EPA Administrator:

“Today, is a BFD for public health and our environment. Reducing pollution and preventing the additional buildout of fossil fuels are the most critical actions we can take to give our kids a healthier, more stable world and meet our climate goals.

“EPA was smart in finalizing a suite of rules together. They’re providing a big step forward and the certainty industry needs to to provide reliable, affordable clean energy to all Americans. I am so proud of the work the agency is doing to not only stop carbon dioxide from the power sector that’s driving climate change, but to protect our air and water from other damaging pollutants. Mercury, lead, and toxic heavy-metals spewed by power plants cause huge health hazards like cancer, heart attacks, strokes, developmental challenges and respiratory illnesses, particularly for communities living near these plants.

“The Biden administration is taking historic action on climate change. They are proving that the United States is serious about being a world leader on climate change, public health, and the environment.”

Electric power generation is the second largest emitter of carbon dioxide pollution in the United States. In 2022, coal accounted for 55% of total carbon emissions from the electric power sector and gas accounted for 43% of CO2 emissions. By curbing greenhouse gas emissions, we can address the impacts of climate change and achieve our national climate targets of a 50-52% economy-wide emissions reduction by 2030 and a net zero emissions economy by 2050. The EPA’s new standards will also be critical in improving public health and saving lives cut short by air pollution by reducing the impact of harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, carcinogens, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide. Imposing stronger limits on these pollutants will help address the disproportionate impact of pollution on historically marginalized and underserved communities.

Realizing the full climate and health benefits of carbon emissions reductions requires an all-of-society approach that includes federal policies and action from states, cities, and businesses. America Is All In’s report shows an all-of-society approach to achieving U.S. climate goals, including integrating federal policies with state and local actions, which can realize improved air quality and health benefits across every state and nearly every county in the United States. Climate-smart implementation of existing policies such as those supported by the Inflation Reduction Act can reduce premature deaths attributable to air pollution by nearly 3,300 annually in the U.S. in 2030. 

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About America Is All In
America Is All In is the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action in the United States. Mobilizing thousands of U.S. cities, states, tribal nations, businesses, schools, and faith, health, and cultural institutions, the coalition is focused on pushing and partnering with the federal government to develop an ambitious, all-in national climate strategy that meets the urgency of the climate crisis; scaling climate action around the country to accelerate the transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy; and promoting the leadership of non-federal actors on the world stage.

Led by the U.N. Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael R. Bloomberg, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Apple Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson, and former White House National Climate Advisor and and 13th U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, America Is All In, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, is driving a nationwide movement to cut U.S. emissions in half or more by 2030 from 2005 levels and reach net zero emissions by 2050, while guarding against the impacts of climate disruption.

Alongside whole-of-government action on climate, America Is All In champions a whole-of-society mobilization to deliver the transformational change that science demands, with the goal of a healthy, prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future. To learn more or get involved, visit www.americaisallin.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2022, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Siham Zniber
America Is All In
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