Hundreds of businesses along with seventy percent of Americans, support President Obama's clean energy efforts. The business community has sent a letter to the President thanking him for his leadership and refuting Republican claims that clean energy is bad for the economy.This letter was signed by many of America's leading businesses including Nike, Ikea, Kellogg's, Nestle, Levi Strauss, Patagonia, Northface, Starbucks, and hundreds of others. The letter they sent says that the government's carbon reduction effort is not only necessary but it represents a tremendous opportunity.
While Republicans claim that the business community does not want to see the President act to reduce carbon emissions, these businesses have come together to voice their disagreement with the GOP. The letter clearly indicates their support for the EPA's Clean Power Plan which would limit carbon emissions from power plants by 30 percent over 2005 levels.
While the plan will cost between seven and eight billion to implement, in addition to saving lives, it will save between 50 and 100 billion in public health and climate change related costs. Far from being economically detrimental, the clean power plan has been described by these companies as, "good fiscal policy."
Companies have come together to state the President's plan is, "firmly grounded in economic reality. We know that tackling climate change is one of America’s greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century and we applaud the EPA for taking steps to help the country seize that opportunity. The new standards will reinforce what leading companies already know, Climate change poses real financial risks and substantial economic opportunities and we must act now. We applaud your administration for its commitment to tackling climate change and we encourage your timely pursuit of the finalization and implementation of these standards."
Many American businesses see the merit of investing in clean energy, while Republicans cannot see beyond the smokescreen of their fossil fuel powered agenda.
As explained in the letter, investing in clean energy and emissions reductions makes good economic sense, "In short, a majority of the world’s largest companies are investing in clean energy and reducing emissions...Today’s rules will help spur investment and provide the long-term certainty necessary for our businesses to thrive and to meet these goals."
The letter was also sent to leading Republicans Mitch McConnell, and John Boehner. The only interests being served in the GOP's war with the EPA are those of the fossil fuel industry.
To read the letter click here.
0 comments:
Post a Comment