Testimony for Pittsburg EPA Hearing on 

The Clean Power Plan: July 31, 2014 

Paul Severance 

326 N 15thAvenue 

Beech Grove, IN 46107 

pseverancel@mac.com 317-788-7795 

My name is Paul Severance. I live in Beech Grove, Indiana. Today is my 

75th birthday. I am the co-chair of the Environmental Legacy Team at the 

Conscious Elders Network, a new national organization of elders which was 

born when 50 elders from all over the nation met this past April in San 

Francisco to talk about the purpose of our elder years, and the vital 

importance of the legacy we create for future generations. I have been 

deeply concerned about climate change for several years, and because of 

that, I joined former Vice President Al Gore's Climate Leadership Corps. 

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on a proposed regulation which may 

prove to be of enormous significance for future generations. 

I absolutely believe that we stand at what may prove to be a historic 

juncture. Our present course of tearing carbon liftiout of the earth as 

fast as possible, and spewing it into the atmosphere, has us at risk of 

triggering feedback loops which could well accelerate climate change to the 

level at which we would no longer have a chance of preserving a planet that 

is consistent with human life thriving. 

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Testimony for Pittsburg EPA Hearing: July 31, 2014 

Paul Severance, Page 2 

While this is obviously a worldwide problem, the United States has a very 

special responsibility. For decades, we have been the world's largest source 

of carbon pollution. And despite being the world's largest economy and the 

world's dominant superpower, we have dragged our feet when it comes to 

facing the crisis we are bringing down upon future generations of humans. 

Today, many scientists are telling us that the window of opportunity open to 

us to make the changes necessary to avoid catastrophe is getting smaller 

and smaller. 

So I stand here with great gratitude to President Obama, Administrator 

McCarthy, and the whole team at EPA which worked on this proposal. In the 

midst of shameful Congressional inaction, you have produced a truly 

significant step toward major reductions in CO2 emissions. It's certainly not 

the whole answer, but it is an essential start. In concert with higher fuel 

efficiency standards, and the standard for new power plants, this regulation 

provides the first real hope of diverting our road to disaster. And the 

impacts of this regulation will be felt far beyond the United States. Having 

finally taken significant action ourselves, we will be in a position to exert our 

economic and moral leadership to push for real worldwide commitments 

while we still have time. 

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Testimony for Pittsburg EPA Hearing on 

The Clean Power Plan: July 31, 2014 

Now for the huge question about this proposed regulation: Is it enough? I 

wonder if it is possible that this regulation could be made stronger, by 

identifying more possible reductions from use of clean energy technologies, 

and upping the ante. Does this proposed regulation do everything possible 

to turn us away from the precipice? I don't know that anyone can answer 

that question with confidence. Someday later this century, people will look 

back at this time and say we rose to the occasion and took the steps to 

prevent catastrophe . . . or we didn't do enough. 

What I ask of EPA is this: Take a hard look at strengthening this regulation 

even further. Don't miss the opportunity to do everything you possibly can 

to give our great grandchildren and their children a chance for a decent life. 

At the same time, do not jeopardize this vitally important regulation. This 

could very well be a pivotal point in human history. You have a unique 

opportunity to make a historic difference in the world. Do the absolute best 

you can do for future generations. Thank you for your dedication and 

courage. 

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