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

EPA Hearing: Testimony in support ofthe 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, PA 15206 412-661-1529 My presence and testimony here this evening-- is speakin supportfor the EPA's Clean Power Plan. I am the Environmental Justice Chair and speakon behalfofthe Thomas Merton Center, the heart ofpeace and socialjustice in Pittsburgh for over 40 years. I am also a member ofthe Friends Committee ofNational Legislation andwill speakto the timeliness ofthis proposed regulation. To quote eco-psychologist Joanna Macy, "The most radical thing any ofus can do at this time is to be fully presentto 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 ofthe causes as possible while there is still time. Itis thisbeliefthat brings you here and why you are spending these long hours listening to our remarks. I knowthat 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 puttingpressure on their perception ofwhat is needed for the future ofourplanet. There are those who will continue to talkabout howthey are goingto put food on the table. They will talk aboutjobs butthe prices being paid, or extorted, from the whole ofliving creation arejusttoo high. This is a moral issue. Generational ethics are on the line. The poorest and mostvulnerable ofus that contribute the least to climate changes are the most dangerously affected. The sadtruth 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 hourby 2030. We who welcome this Clean Power Plan will work to put our energy into programs that have notbeen as fully supported as they can be like solar, wind, and geo-thermal power. Many ofus affirm and supportenergy sources and strategies with criteria from cradle to grave that: • Emitlittle or no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions • Produce infinite sources ofenergy • Do not have negative impacts on human health and communities • Are cost-effective • And create longtermjob and economic goals. Forthese 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 ofhigh-level radioactive waste createharmful

### "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 ofproven fossil fuel reserves mustbe kept in the ground to prevent potentially catastrophic consequences. This includes natural gas and oil. About one-third oftotal US methane emissions are responsible for green house gas emissions. The newunconventional gas wells are also emitting toxics like benzene and radon that are then sentthrough 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 andis harming our health and our planet. The rule reflects ourbestvalues; toprevent premature deaths and asthma attacks by smog and other airpollutants. It

### will reduce the pollution thatfuels climate change.