A coalition of clean energy proponents are supporting the new US EPA rules released Monday.
Rick Fox is the with the Central Illinois Global Warming Solutions. He says the call to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent from 2005 levels for existing power plants is good forward motion. “This step by the federal government yesterday will put the cost of this pollution on the companies today instead of putting it on our government and us as taxpayers in the future.”
But Fox says decisive action to move the economy away from fossil fuel to renewable energy is the only way to meet the challenge of climate change.
Fox says wind energy in Central Illinois is already thriving and growing, and soon solar will come to the forefront. He says the expert and skilled level jobs that will come with expanding the use of renewable energy will be good for the economy as well as the climate.
The Central Illinois Global Warming Solutions group is comprised of farmers, scientists, students and faith based leaders. The group plans to press the state to adopt what it’s calling common sense plans to protect future generations from more extremes in climate change.