# Friends Committee on

National Legislation A Quaker Lobby in the Public Interest



# EPA Clean Power Plan: FCNL Testimony

Thank you for this opportunity to share our views on EPA's Clean Power Plan. I am Jose Aguto, representing the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker lobby in the public interest. Nearing our 71 5Y year, FCNL is the oldest peace lobby in the country, which is housed in the first LEED certified building on Capitol Hill. Grounded in the values of simplicity, peace, integrity, compassion and equality, we are active in our public witness and advocacy for a world that reflects these values. We offer testimony today because, we along with so many faith 1 traditions, recognize that climate disruption is one of the greatest challenges of our time. We are deeply concerned about its impacts on vulnerable communities, ecosystems, and economies, on the pacific coexistence of humankind, and on the future of our children and the generations to come. Elite institutions in prominent sectors across the world find climate change to be a grave challenge 

### requiring urgent action, including businesses 2 like General Mills 3 and Coca Cola, 4 the US military, 5 NAT0, 6 the IMF' and the World Bank. $ As Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the IMF said, if we do not act, "future generations will be roasted, toasted, fried and grilled.i 9
It is also the concern of the leaders of 141 nations — including President Obama - who signed the 

### Copenhagen Accord, 10 which recognizes that the increase in global temperature should be kept below 2 degrees Celsius, requiring deep cuts in global emissions. To meet this goal, according to the International Energy Agency, ll at least 2/3rds of world's proven fossil fuel reserves must be kept in the ground.

1 http://fore.research.yale.edu/climate-change/statements-from-world-religions/

z http://www.ceres.org/bicep/climate-declaration
3 http://www.theRuardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/iul/28/general-mills-climate-change-lobbving-suppliers-kellogRsoxfam
4 http://www.nvtimes.com/2014/01/24/science/earth/threat-to-bottom-line-spurs-action-on-climate.html? r=0
5 https://www.cna.ors/sites/default/files/news/FlipBooks/Climate%20Change%20web/flipviewerxpress.html
6 http://www.rtcc.org/2014/05/13/un-climate-treatv-vital-for-global-securitv-warns-senior-nato-official/ ' http://www.the

~ lobeandmail.com/Qlobe-debate/roasted-toasted-fried-and-grilled-climate-change-talk-from-an-unlikelvsou rce/a rticle8077946/ $ http://www.worldbank.ors/en/topic/climatechange
9 http://www.weforum.org/content/unless-we-take-action-climate-change-future-generations-will-be-roasted-toasted-friedand-Rr lo http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/cop15/eng/11a01.pdf 11 http://www.iea.ors/publications/freepublications/publication/English.pdf 1 of 3 — 7/30/2014



## FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION 245 2ND STREET NE » WASHINGTON, DC 20002 - (800) 630-1330 y , FCNL.ORGleaks radiation. Finally, we note that the US has no permanent repository for the existing 71,780 metric

tons of used nuclear fuel. Long term solutions can be found in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and a price on carbon — solutions that create jobs, are less impactful on human health and ecosystems, and can ease the transition to a low carbon future.
Energy efficiency is an optimal choice for states. The cheapest and greenest unit of energy is the unit not used. Costs are reduced, reduction targets are met, and jobs are created. A recent study by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy finds that the deployment of existing energy efficiency policies can help states meet a large percentage of their emission reduction targets while creating over 600,000 jobs nationwide. 16

The final rule should expressly list a price on carbon pollution as an option for states. British Columbia enacted a carbon tax in 2oo8 which continues to reduce its carbon emissions while improving its economy. 17 The rule should ensure that if states decide to enact a price on carbon, or a cap and trade program, that they not create negative economic or environmental impacts upon low-income communities and communities of color. Renewable energy like solar and wind can and must be the wave of the future. In many states, renewable energy is cost competitive with fossil energy. 18 Wind energy alone provided 8.3% of Texas' electricity in 2013 19 and almost 25% of lowa's in 2012, while employing 15,000 people in those states. 20 In conclusion, we applaud the unprecedented and courageous step that EPA has taken to reduce national GHG emissions. We seek improvements to the rule that point the nation and world more resolutely to the low carbon future we need to ensure a thriving future for our children and Earth. Thank you for providing the opportunity to issue these comments, and we look forward to working with you together as we seek an earth restored.

16 http://www.aceee.org/research-report/e1401
17 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-carbon-tax-cut-fuel-use-didn-t-hurt-economy-1.1309766
18 http://www.worldwatch.org/renewables-becominR-cost-competitive-fossil-fuels-us
19 http://www.awea.org/Resources/state.aspx?ItemNumber=5183
20 http://www.iowawindenergy.orQ/whywind.php 3 of 3 (7/30/2014)

FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION 245 2NQ STREET NE ., tNASHINOTON, DC 20002 - (800) 630-1330 » 

### FCNL.ORG