My name is Megan Severson, and I'mthe State Advocate with Wisconsin Environment. In Wisconsin, global warming isn'tsome distantthreat. It's here now, in the present. We've already seen severe droughts, extreme storms and flooding. Igrew up on afarm in western Wisconsin, about 10 miles from the Mississippi River and surrounded by bluffs and small rivervalleys. The farm has been in my family since the 1860s. In 2012, our region experienced a record-breaking droughtthat killed off many of crops. The following yearthere were devastatingfloods, which delayed the planting season by weeks. I'd like to be able to say that my kids and grandkids will someday be able to experience the same farm and quality of lifethat I did as a kid, but I'm growing increasingly nervous thatthis will not be possible. Scientists are clear that unless we act nowto reduce the pollution fueling global warming- most importantly carbon dioxide- things will be much worse for ourchildren, and we won't be able to turn back. That's whyWisconsin Environment believes the Clean Power Plan is avital step, and supportthe finalization ofthe strongest possible plan cut carbon pollution. Scientist are warning that ifwe allowthe planetto warm above 2°C, the likelihood greatly increases that we will not be able to preventthe worst impacts ofglobal warming. That requires cutting carbon pollution in halfglobally by 2050, and wealthy countries need to cut carbon emissions much more deeplythan emerging nations like China and India. To do its part, and leverage the leadership we need to compel othercountries to act, the United States must reduce its global warming pollution at least 80 percent by 2050. Power plants are the largest single source of U.S. carbon pollution. While we must move quicklyto limit

. carbon from all sources, the power plants is our best opportunity in the nearterm to achieve dramatic

reductions in carbon. Our recent reportAmerica's DirtiestPowerPlants found thatthe 50 dirtiest power plants emit more carbon each yearthan all but5 othercountries. Fortunately, the solutionsto global warming are at ourfingertips. We have the technologyto dramatically reduce emissions ofcarbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by using energy more efficiently and generatingthe energy we do use from truly clean sources, such as the wind and the sun. Wisconsin's power plants contribute 43 percent ofourstate's carbon pollution, and the Clean Power Plan would clean up our power plants by 13 percent. Wisconsin Environment applauds EPA for respondingto the urgent need to protect public health and our children's future by reigning in unlimited carbon pollution. But given the scope ofthe problem, and the urgent need to act we can do even better by harnessing the powerofclean energy. Fortunately, we're not startingfrom scratch: the Clean Power Plan builds on nearly a decade of investment in clean energy. It's notthe first step, and it can't be the last. Wisconsin has made great strides already, by passing its Renewable Energy Standard to get 10% clean energy by 2015. And programs like Focus on Energy have been successful in incentivizing energy efficiency and solar electricity. We knowthat clean energyworks to cut pollution. Already, clean energy policies have cut carbon pollution in Wisconsin in 2012 equivalentto taking 5.2 million cars offthe road. And we have the potential to get even more ofour energy from solar and wind, decreasing our need for coal and fossil fuels. I can clearly envision afuture in which all ofour electricity comes from the wind that rolls across our fields, and the sun that shines on our rooftops every day. And I know that we can make our homes and businesses and barns so efficientthat, with solar panels on top, they produce more energythan they use.This is thefuture I imaginefor myfamily, and for all Wisconsinites. It'sthefuture we deserve, and it's one thatthe Clean Power Plan has the potential to take us one step closertowards. Thank you foryourtime.

Megan Severson Wisconsin Environment 122 State Street, Suite 500B Madison, WI 53703 608-385-9946 megan@wisconsinenvironment.org