Policy Resolution ETE-16-11

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) believes a safe, reliable, affordable energy supply is vital to the nation’s future economic growth, security, and quality of life in Resolution ETE-15-28 “SUPPORTING A DIVERSE ELECTRICITY GENERATION PORTFOLIO;”

WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that greenhouse gas pollution threatens Americans’ health and welfare by leading to long-lasting changes in our climate that can have a range of negative effects on human health and the environment;

WHEREAS, the NBCSL believes our most vulnerable community members, including children, low and fixed-income families, contribute the least to climate change but often suffer the most due to health vulnerabilities;

WHEREAS, on August 3, 2015, President Obama and the EPA announced the Clean Power Plan, an important step in reducing carbon pollution;

WHEREAS, the Clean Power Plan is projected to reduce smog and fine particulate matter pollution, saving 3,500 American lives and preventing 1,000 hospitalizations annually;

WHEREAS, the Clean Air Act – under section 111(d) creates a partnership between EPA, states, tribes and U. S. territories with EPA setting a goal and states and tribes choosing how existing power generation in each state will meet it; and

WHEREAS, incorporating flexibility in the implementation of United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations to allow for unique State or regional strategies can lessen generation cost increases because of improved planning, greater use of energy efficiency and demand-side resources, and orderly decision making.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the guidelines should be flexible enough to allow States individually or regionally to take into account each State and region to achieve the most cost-effective emissions reductions in each State;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL, urges the EPA to recognize the primacy of States to rely on both State utility and environmental regulators to develop compliance plans that reflect the policies, energy needs, resource mix, economic conditions of each State and region; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) makes copies of this resolution available for distribution to the President of the United States, all Members of the United States Congress, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Energy, and all states’ legislative leadership.

• SPONSOR: Representative Alan Williams (FL)
  
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Energy, Transportation, and Environment Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: Representative Billy Mitchell (GA) and Representative Cherrish Pryor (IN)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 4, 2015
• Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President