A US bishops’ official says that new carbon pollution standards are an “important step forward” in protecting health, especially the health of children and the elderly and other vulnerable people, and urged Congress not to block the new standards.
“A new national standard to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants is an important step forward to protect the health of all people, especially children, the elderly, and poor and vulnerable communities, from harmful pollution and the impacts of climate change,” said Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of a new final rule limiting carbon pollution, August 3.
Archbishop Wenski is chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Recently finalized carbon pollution standards will reduce carbon pollution from power plants, the largest source of carbon emissions in the United States.
“The bishops welcome this important move by the administration to adopt long-awaited standards to mitigate climate change and safeguard public health, which are significant ways to live out our responsibility to care for God’s creation,” Archbishop Wenski said.
In a letter urging Congress not to block the new standards, June 24, Archbishop Wenski emphasized the significance of Pope Francis’ encyclical on ecology, Laudato Si’, in which the pope “called on all people to care for God’s creation and our common home for the well-being of current and future generations.” The letter is available online at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/letter-to-congress-on-carbon-standards-2015-06-24.cfm
Archbishop Wenski also expressed support for a national carbon standard in a July 30, 2014, letter: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/environmental-justice-program/upload/Comments-to-EPA-from-Archbishop-Wenski-Bishop-Pates-on-carbon-pollution-standards-2014-07-30.pdf
