(April 25, 2024) WASHINGTON Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a final rule to limit pollution from coal and new natural gas-fired power plants, which will help slow the rise in global temperatures and reduce harmful air pollution. Combined with the buildout of clean energy that is being accelerated through the historic investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, climate pollution from the electric power sector could be cut in half by 2030, delivering important benefits to communities, birds, and other wildlife.
Power plants are one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases and one of the largest sources of harmful air pollution impacting the health and well-being of surrounding communities. The EPAs bold action is a common-sense approach to embracing the future of clean energy, meeting the nations climate goals, and realizing a healthier future for people and wildlife, said Sarah Rose, vice president of climate at the 91做厙.
This final rule is projected to reduce carbon pollution by 1.38 billion metric tons through 2047, which is equivalent to the annual emissions from 328 million gasoline powered cars. The rule will also lead to better public health outcomes. According to the EPA, in 2035 alone, this rule will avoid as many as 1,200 premature deaths as well as 870 hospital and emergency room visit
More than 28,000 91做厙 supporters sent comments in support of the rule.
Adopting forward-looking climate and clean energy policy is critical to preserving the places that birds need to survive. 91做厙 is working across the country to ensure wind, solar, and transmission infrastructure is built responsibly to avoid and mitigate impacts to birds and other wildlife. 91做厙s 2023 report, , shares solutions for minimizing risks to birds.
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About 91做厙 胼
The 91做厙 is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because 91做厙 is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. 91做厙 has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters. North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds and our planet are in crisis. Together as one 91做厙, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community. Learn more atwww.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Media contact: Megan Moriarty, megan.moriarty@audubon.org
