Two-thirds into his eight-year presidency, Barack Obama finally delivered the goods on climate change, ordering the Environmental Protection Agency to propose standards to reduce carbon pollution from power plants 30 percent by 2030.
The New York Times heralded the move as “one of the strongest actions ever taken by the US government to fight climate change.”
Of course, Obama’s new-found backbone has triggered howls of protests from Republicans, who predictively trot out the worn-out slogans like “war on coal” and “job-killer” slogans to trash the EPA’s proposals.
The know-nothing crowd ridicules the $50B cost through 2030 associated under Clean Power Plan programs as exorbitant, monies that will derail the recovering economy.
That’s simply hogwash. The US is running a $17T economy, one that can easily absorb the implementation cost.
The Chamber of Commerce, a staunch Republican ally, estimates compliance outlays will cost the American household, which has an average income of $70K a year, about $200.
Obama’s opponents disregard the massive health benefits that will flow for the pollution crackdown.
The Union of Concerned Scientists, which wants to cut carbon emissions half, estimates the benefits outweigh the cost to by a margin of 17-to-one.
EPA administrator Gina McCarthy said Obama’s plan to cut emissions will avoid 6,600 premature deaths, result in 150K fewer asthma attacks in children and elimate nearly 500K missed sick days from work/school.
The plan to increase energy efficiency will cut household electricity bills by eight percent.
EPA sees up to $93B in climate and public health benefits from Obama’s plan, which begs a question to the president, what took you so long?
Obama’s movement on climate change and his landmark healthcare reform will be his shining legacy, remembered long after the knee-jerk screams of opposition have vanished into thin (and much cleaner) air.
Maggie Moran, who is well-connected in New Jersey and New York Democratic politics, has established Moxie Strategies in Asbury Park, NJ.
Husch Blackwell Strategies has added FleishmanHillard alum Michael Slatin as a principal in its public affairs group.
Rory Cooper, a veteran Republican operative and policy specialist, has joined Teneo’s Washington office as senior managing director in its strategy & communications practice.
Brian Fallon, who served as national press secretary for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential run, is signing on next month as Vice President’s Kamala Harris’ campaign communications director.
TikTok is nothing more than a Chinese propaganda tool that poses “a grave threat to America’s national security and, in particular, impressionable children and young adults,” say two Congressmen who want the platform registered as a foreign agent.
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