Madison Mathiasen 

Environment America intern 

Mmathiasen 1(a7gmail.com 

The one-year anniversary of the super-storm that tore apart my New Jersey 

hometown is approaching. Hurricane Sandy devastated homes and businesses around my 

town, and all over the state. Power outages left people cold and vulnerable, and the 

powerful sea that rose and covered shore-towns left destruction in its path, as well as 

more than 100 people dead. This super-storm left billions of dollars worth of damage, 

rivaling even Hurricane Katrina. These storms are the planet's attempt to send us a 

message. They will not stop. As you have seen even this winter, unprecedented snowfall 

in southern cities has been leaving parts of the country disabled. The weather patterns are 

going to continue to get more and more extreme, and this is greatly a result of global 

warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has confirmed that the 

frequency and severity of extreme weather events like these will continue to increase 

unless we dramatically cut the carbon pollution fueling global wanming. 

Environment America's Research and Policy Center's report, "Amerfca's Dirtiest 

Power Plants," shows that power plants in America are the single largest source of 

carbon pollution, and that only a handful of the dirtiest plants make up a huge portion of 

our emissions. For example, the 50 dirtiest US plants emit more carbon than all but 6 

other countries. This is absurd. Why, in America, do we feel so entitled to pollute the air 

that we, as a global population, depend on to survive and prosper? 

I have already made the decision that this planet is not a place to raise children. 

Because of all of the pollution, environmental degradation, and health risks resulting 

from poor regulation and corrupt loopholes in laws, my personal opportunity to start a 

family has been stolen from me. I feel betrayed by the leaders of my country. It is not 

right that this planet has been so destroyed from pollution and dirty energy initiatives that 

I now fear for my safety in the coming years. I feel sadness for the future of our nation 

and for children that will have to deal with the repercussions of climate change, that we 

were too busy contributing to, to fix. I feel hopeless and powerless, as if no one is 

listening to the pleas of the people. 

Today is an opportunity to change that. We are joined here today to urge you to 

stop the carbon pollution that is so contributing to global warming. Americans are 

demanding action. We have already submitted 4 million comments in support of limiting 

carbon pollution from power plants. Hundreds of elected officials, business leaders, and 

organizations have voiced their support for reigning in the biggest polluters. 

We know there's a better way than dirty power plants. Surveys from across the 

country show that Americans are aware of the impacts and effects of global warming, and 

that we are ready and willing to make the switch to clean energy. I and my friends are 

doing the things we can to cut our impact on the planet — driving less, using efficient 

lightbulbs, limiting our meat intake, interning with environmental nonprofits, and taking 

time out of my day to urge leaders like you to act. But if we're going to tackle the 

107 
problem, we need a national commitment to cutting carbon pollution. We are relying on 

you to lead the way and help transition us to a cleaner future — you have the power to take 

the necessary actions to cut pollution from the largest sources and make the biggest dent 

in the problem. Please act quickly to protect our lives and future. 

The opposition from power companies and the coal industry, who profit from 

pollution, along with their allies in Congress are ready to fight us to protect their pockets 

and all the dirty money that they earn promoting pollution. That's why it is absolutely 

critical that state leaders join us in supporting President Obama's plan to tackle global 

warming by limiting carbon pollution from power plants. Its time for action! 

While global warming's worst impacts will be felt by future generations, these 

massive hurricanes, thick smog clouds, and acid rain are affecting the health and 

wellbeing of our people right now. We cannot ignore the message that these events are 

sending us. Failure to act is not just betrayal to future generations, but it is a sign of pure 

ignorance and duplicity. 

Environment America calls on state leaders to join us in supporting limits on 

power plants' carbon pollution, and to not back down against wealthy opposition 

tempting you with promises of money. Further, we urge the EPA to move forward to 

finalize these carbon pollution standards for new power plants, so that no new plants will 

be allowed to dump unlimited amounts of dangerous carbon pollution into the air. 

Without these regulations, we are destined to continue rushing full-force towards 

collapse, not just as a society, but as an entire global population.