EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0630 (for the Carbon Pollution Standard for Modified 

Sources) 

EPA Hearing: Testimony in support of the Clean Power Plan July 31, 2014, Pittsburgh 

Wanda Guthrie, Thomas Merton Center 

Environmental Justice Committee Chair 

Member, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) 

5815 Hays Street, Pgh, P A 15206 

412-661-1529 

My presence and testimony here this evening-- is speak in support for the EPA's Clean Power 

Plan. I am the Environmental Justice Chair and speak on behalf of the Thomas Merton Center, 

the heart of peace and social justice in Pittsburgh for over 40 years. 

I am also a member of the Friends Committee of National Legislation and will speak to the 

timeliness ofthis proposed regulation. To quote eco-psychologist Joanna Macy, "The most 

radical thing any of us can do at this time is to be fully present to what is happening in the 

world." This means we must look straight at anthropocentric climate disruption and work 

together to address, regulate, and remedy as many of the causes as possible while there is still 

time. It is this belief that brings you here and why you are spending these long hours listening 

to our remarks. 

I know that no matter what we say here today, there will still be more and more social hysteria, 

and that the corporate media will be pointing fingers and putting pressure on their perception 

of what is needed for the future of our planet. There are those who will continue to talk about 

how they are going to put food on the table. They will talk about jobs but the prices being paid, 

or extorted, from the whole of living creation are just too high. 

This is a moral issue. Generational ethics are on the line. The poorest and most vulnerable of us 

that contribute the least to climate changes are the most dangerously affected. 

The sad truth for Pennsylvanians is that coal is currently our largest energy source for power 

generation. The EPA will be asking Pennsylvania to develop a plan to lower its carbon pollution 

to meet the proposed emission rate goal of 1,052 pounds per megawatt hour by 2030. We who 

welcome this Clean Power Plan will work to put our energy into programs that have not been as 

fully supported as they can be like solar, wind, and geo-thermal power. 

Many of us affirm and support energy sources and strategies with criteria from cradle to grave 

that: 

• Emit little or no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions 

• Produce infinite sources of energy 

• Do not have negative impacts on human health and communities 

• Are cost-effective 

• And create long term job and economic goals. 

For these reasons we do not support nuclear energy as an option. The risks to human health, to 

communities, including the harmful extraction and abandoned uranium mines create negative 

impacts. The inability to permanently dispose of high-level radioactive waste create harmful 
"sacrifice areas". We also know these are a global security threat. The nuclear industry's 

inability to operate without government subsidies has been a continuing issue. 

Fossil fuels are finite and renewable energy is infinite. In fact the International Energy Agency 

tells us that 2/ 3rds of proven fossil fuel reserves must be kept in the ground to prevent 

potentially catastrophic consequences. 

This includes natural gas and oil. About one-third of total US methane emissions are 

responsible for green house gas emissions. The new unconventional gas wells are also emitting 

toxics like benzene and radon that are then sent through compressor stations and pipelines. 

Several studies have shown that, overall, methane emissions are considerably higher than 

official inventories report. 

This policy will treat carbon the way it should be treated. It is a pollutant and is harming our 

health and our planet. The rule reflects our best values; to prevent premature deaths and 

asthma attacks by smog and other air pollutants. It will reduce the pollution that fuels climate 

change.