For Immediate Release: February 10, 2016
Contact: Elaine de Leon Ahn, 202-787-5271, elaine@ips-dc.org

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In a 5-4 vote that fell along political lines, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to temporarily halt progress on the Clean Power Plan (CPP) while a legal challenge filed by a coalition of states, fossil fuel corporations and industry associations is being considered in a lower court.

The Clean Power Plan requires states to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from power plants, and is a core component of U.S. commitments recently agreed to in the Paris climate treaty.

Following is a statement from Janet Redman, Director, Climate Policy Program:

“The Supreme Court’s decision to put the brakes on the Clean Power Plan is surprising because it is the first time the Court overruled a lower court to stay a regulation, and disappointing because it is so clearly political. But the ruling is not a verdict on the Clean Power Plan itself.

“One look at the coalition of dirty energy companies and their political cronies challenging the CPP tells you that their underlying interest is to keep the old energy economy in place.

“While the Clean Power Plan has serious short-comings in moving us away from all fossil fuels quickly and equitably distributing the benefits of renewable power, it is has helped spark momentum toward a clean energy transition in many states. The overwhelming public support to clean up the power sector and protect public health and our climate will not be stymied by dirty industry antics.”

To arrange an interview with Janet Redman, contact Elaine de Leon Ahn, IPS Communications Director, at 202-787-5271 or elaine@ips-dc.org.