Ending Clean Power Plan a bad move for Delaware: Editorial
Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt's announcement Monday that he will begin unraveling the federal Clean Power Plan is bad news for Delaware.
Created by former President Barack Obama's administration, the plan requires companies to drastically reduce emissions from power plants that run on polluting fuel sources like coal.
Background:Read more about what Pruitt's move means
Previous editorial:We are not helpless in the face of tragedy
The rollback could lead to increased harmful pollution in the First State.
State environmental officials regularly note how emissions from other states drift into Delaware. The resulting ozone levels can cause irritation of the eyes and lungs, and they can be dangerous for those with respiratory conditions like asthma.
Other states may be willing to live with the consequences of coal, but their decisions affect us, too. And the coal industry is of little benefit to Delaware.
Trump and Pruitt say the rollback is "ending the war on coal," as if federal regulations are responsible for the demise of jobs for coal miners. But federal regulations are only hastening coal’s decline; most un-biased experts say the rise of cheaper and cleaner sources of energy are making coal obsolete.
Long-term, the increase in greenhouse gases could exacerbate climate change, which is already set to take a heavy toll on coastal, low-lying Delaware.
Our delegation seems to understand that Congress should create rules that would protect states like ours.
“Repealing the Clean Power Plan isn’t just a talking point," said a statement from Sen. Tom Carper. "It will have serious consequences for the health of the public and our planet, and the American people deserves actual answers.”
But we have little optimism that this Congress will take the necessary action. For now, we’re on our own.
Fortunately, Delaware and many other states are attempting to cut emissions regardless of what the Trump administration does. We're part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Climate Alliance, coalitions of states striving to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accords that Trump has spurned.
The federal government may have dropped the ball. But the fight against climate change and pollution is urgent, and state leaders should take it into their own hands.
Pruitt’s actions are a grave error. But we shouldn’t give up.
The News Journal's editorial opinions are decided by its editorial board, which is separate from the news staff.