July 29, 2014

Testimony submitted to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602)

In support of U.S. EPA's Clean Power Rule Submitted by John W. Gale, National Wildlife Federation Sportsmen Campaigns Manager

Thank you for the opportunity to submit formal testimony regarding EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan. My name is John Gale and I am here today from Arvada, CO to express my strong support for EPA's historic action to address climate change by setting limits on carbon pollution from power plants.
We have a collective obligation to protect fish, wildlife, water, and all of our natural resources for future generations. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation is posing one of the greatest threats to fish and wildlife today, and as a hunter and an angler, I applaud EPA for taking action to address one of the most significant impacts to fish and wildlife habitat by attacking the root of our carbon emissions crisis.
The U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan is a major step in the right direction. This plan will help speed the way towards a future in which we invest more in wildlife-friendly sources of clean energy and work to improve our energy economy by investing in technologies and implementing thoughtful national polices that protect our western heritage and the big landscapes and clean air and water that define our heritage.
Outdoor recreation is a big part of our national identity and economy too. Each year 47 million Americans head to the field to hunt or fish. Their spending on gear, food, lodging, and a variety of other goods and services push a $200 billion dollar ripple through the economy each year and support over 1.5 million jobs. But climate change poses a direct threat to outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing as droughts and wildfires and higher temperatures impact fisheries, big game populations, and outdoor activities across the state. By reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change, the Clean Power Plan will help protect this vibrant industry.
Americans are ready to do the right thing too. A June 2014 Washington Post/ABC poll found that a "huge majority of Americans support" curbing carbon pollution from power plants. Fully 70 percent say the federal government should have limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, and 63 percent say they would be willing to see a utility bill increase of $20 per month to have them. Additionally, a National Wildlife Federation poll of sportsmen last yearshowed 69% agree the U.S. should reduce its carbon pollution that contribute to climate

change and threaten fish and wildlife habitat.
As you finalize the standard, I ask that you work to ensure that it achieves the deepest reductions possible by requiring states to develop and utilize more wildlife friendly renewable energy sources, work with states like Colorado to strengthen standards that encourage more power to be generated from renewable sources like wind and solar, and invest in energy efficiency policies that reducing energy demand overall.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment today. We look forward to working with you to finalize and implement the Clean Power Plan. We hope you will do everything you can to ensure it stays strong through the process — fish, wildlife, and the future generations that follow us are counting on your leadership.