By: Michelle Uberuaga, Montana State Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: June 14, 2023
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0072
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Michelle Uberuaga, and I am the Montana State Coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force. On behalf of our 4,000 members in Montana, we strongly support EPA’s proposal to limit carbon emissions from fossil fuel power plants and ask that EPA finalize these standards as quickly as possible.
I am also testifying today a mother of three, an aunt, a sister, and a person deeply committed to protecting the health of my children and all children.
I am testifying today because I am concerned about the impacts of pollution today in Montana, on sovereign nations, and on vulnerable communities across the country. As so many people have made clear throughout this hearing, pollution from power plants disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable community members, marginalized and low-income communities, pregnant women, and children.
I’m also deeply concerned about how climate change is already changing the land where I live, and I worry about the disproportionate impact of climate change on our children and other vulnerable populations.
The decisions that EPA makes are incredibly important and they matter to so many people around the country, young and old, and even around the world.
We are counting on you. It is EPA’s job to protect communities from industrial pollution. Especially when the negative health impacts of pollution from power plants are so clear.
It’s very clear that fossil fuel power plants are responsible for almost one-quarter of the climate pollution generated by the US. Your proposed rules would hold these power plants accountable for the climate-warming pollution being emitted. The rules offer multiple pathways for power plants to clean up their carbon pollution, reducing total carbon emissions by 617 million metric tons through 2042. Those numbers are hard to fathom, but it is the equivalent of erasing the annual emissions from 137 million passenger vehicles, roughly half the cars in the US.
Coal-fired power plants provided the largest share of Montana's electricity generation in 2022, accounting for 42% of in-state generation. Montana also has the nation's largest recoverable coal reserves, which is about 30% of the US total. Our state legislature has doubled down on fossil fuels, loosening regulations and boosting coal projects in our state. This EPA rulemaking would help ensure our safety and protect us at a time when our state government is not.
This public hearing comes the same week as a historic trial is beginning in the state of Montana. Sixteen young people from across the state of Montana are suing their government in Held v. State of Montana. These youth plaintiffs argue that Montana violated their “right to a clean and healthful environment,” which is guaranteed by the state’s constitution. The lawsuit alleges that the state’s fossil fuel energy system is degrading and depleting Montana’s constitutionally protected public trust resources, including the atmosphere, rivers and lakes, and fish and wildlife. Young people are standing up and saying enough is enough. As a mom, I am doing the same.
This is an important step, power plants are responsible for so much pollution, and we can and must continue to do more to protect vulnerable communities from air pollution and climate change. I need my kids to know that you at EPA and me as their mother, did everything we could to protect their future, to protect their home, to protect their livelihoods.
Once again, on behalf of the members of Moms Clean Air Force in Montana, we support the proposed carbon rule and are counting on the EPA to finalize the strongest possible standards.
Thank you again for your time and your consideration.