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 year 
showed 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.