Andy Ludwig Feb. 6 Carbon Pollution Standards public hearing testimony 

My name is Andy Ludwig. Energy and the environment are my passions and I have a unique perspective about the 

proposed legislation. 

In my previous role I helped utilities like Pepco procure their electricity for the upcoming year. These are usually 

auctions, where the lowest priced power plants win the bid. In some cases, the format was a RFP for new generation to 

be built. So there was going to be a 30+ year effect, based on the result. When my company scrutinized the RFP 

evaluation rules for a utility in Oregon, we discovered that the playing field was tilted heavily in favor of large coal 

plants. And this is because state public service commissions — like the DC PSC — write rules where the final cost to rate 

payers is paramount. And this was in super-green Oregon! ...the birthplace of granola and hippies — or so Wikipedia told 

me. 

Anyway, even in Oregon dirty coal plants have the advantage, as things stand. 

Currently 1 manage energy efficiency projects at a university here in DC — Some people say regulating power plants isn't 

necessary, as the market will drive out old, inefficient plants and the demand will decline as every company and 

organization are starting to realize that energy efficiency is the best investment they can make. And it really is. 

Well, we are attacking inefflciencies on all fronts — even with some government support —and it's not going to be 

enough. We have invested millions of dollars over the past few years and have only made a 3% reduction — and we are 

ahead of the curve. In an optimistic scenario, we'11 reduce our greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2025, but all of those 

reductions will be eaten up by the new buildings we're adding. And we're not alone. "Growth" is king. 

Simply put, the market won't put dirty coal out of business. Only you can. 

You already know the predictions from the vast majority of the scientific community about the worst impacts : extreme 

heat waves, drought, extreme weather events. But let me add a couple that are personal to me.: 

I have a daughter on the way. If she lives to be 85, she'11 be around in 2100 — the year most climate predictions stop. 

And also when they're the scariest. A year without a winter — like last year might become common. Sea level rise might 

bring the Potomac up onto Constitution Avenue. 1 hope you have a canoe for your commute. 

But that's way in the future, so let me talk about now. This is my little puppy. She has Lyme disease and is unable to 

run around some days due to the joint pain. It's already been observed that the changing climate is spreading the reach of 

mosquitoes & ticks — where they can impact more pets and people. 

And from a global perspective... I spent Christmas & New Year's in China a few years ago. Even then, the smog was 

palpable. One of the main things my friends and I will remember is all of the locals hacking up phlegm and spitting in the 

street. Men, women, and children. China's in that situation because of coal plants. Please do not allow us to turn into 

China. 

Better yet, let's join the rest of the international community in recognizing CO2 as a pollutant — and do something about 

it. It's way too late to be a'leader' — since everyone has signed the Kyoto Protocol but us. But if we take a strong stand 

on this — China will feel the pressure to follow suit. 

Your actions after this hearing — and fighting for what's right -- could improve the world. Please don't let this 

opportunity go up in smoke. 

After all, It's like buying insurance. (use names) Do you buy car insurance? (Y) Do you have health insurance? And 

(Z), do you insure your Home? 

Limiting pollution from coal plants is the most prudent path forward, and a small price to pay to avoid those catastrophic 

consequences — I, my daughter and other cute little puppies will be glad you did. Thank you.