Albany – In June, the House of Representatives voted on legislation sponsored by Kentucky Rep. Ed Whitfield to stall the Clean Power Plan.

Gibson’s Climate Leadership Needed to Rally GOP Against Extreme Anti-Climate Vote

Extreme Attack Planned on Clean Power Plan, Clean Air Act

Albany – In June, the House of Representatives voted on legislation sponsored by Kentucky Rep. Ed Whitfield to stall the Clean Power Plan. At the time, Hudson Valley Rep. Chris Gibson was the sole New York Republican, and one of only four nationwide, to oppose that effort. Now, as world leaders convene in Paris to plan global climate action, his majority colleagues are preparing to vote on a new iteration of this effort which is far more extreme than the first, which would immediately nullify the Clean Power Plan and prevent further action until the Congress specifically directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a climate plan.

Since June, Rep. Gibson has convinced fellow New Yorkers Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro), Richard Hanna (R-Barneveld) and Tom Reed (R-Corning) to support a resolution acknowledging that climate change is man-made and bold action is required. As the House prepares for its vote today, Environmental Advocates NY urges Rep. Gibson to continue his independent climate leadership, and ensure Reps. Stefanik, Hanna and Reed oppose S.J. Res 23 and S.J. Res 24.

The following statement is attributable to Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Environmental Advocates NY:

“In June, Rep. Gibson broke with his conference and boldly opposed Kentucky Rep. Whitfield’s dangerous giveaway to polluters. That bill would have stalled climate action, undermined the Clean Air Act, and blocked states from achieving the same standards New York already has because of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

We applaud the congressman for his climate leadership, and the work he has done since then to convince three of his New York Republican colleagues to follow the science.

However, as bad as that legislation was, it doesn’t hold a candle to the current iteration which is extreme and dangerous. As world leaders meet for action, the stakes are greater. We cannot risk the United States being viewed as an unserious partner that ignores science while the rest of the world acts.

We urge Rep. Gibson to be an aggressive voice against these resolutions and for climate action nationwide. We also call on Reps. Stefanik, Hanna and Reed to show they are serious about Rep. Gibson’s resolution by opposing the backwards policies being advanced by their colleague from Kentucky.”

###