Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing limits on global warming emissions from power plants, the largest source of these emissions in the United States.
The EPA's Clean Power Plan is our best opportunity to curb the growing consequences of climate change and accelerate the growth of clean energy-but it's not strong enough.
The draft plan relies heavily on a switch from coal to natural gas as one of the pathways for states to meet their carbon emission reduction goals.
Natural gas is still a fossil fuel and dramatically expanding its use to generate electricity poses complex risks including persistent price volatility and more global warming emissions.
The Natural Gas Gamble, a new Union of Concerned Scientists analysis, shows that a far better bet for achieving a clean energy future is to greatly expand the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
By choosing this pathway and avoiding an over reliance on natural gas, the US can ensure a more consumer-friendly, resilient, and diversified electricity system, while also delivering cost-effective carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reductions and improved public health.
Sign the petition urging the EPA to issue a final Clean Power Plan that encourages a shift to truly low-carbon resources, such as wind and solar, and avoids the risks of an over reliance on natural gas.
UCS will hand deliver your message in a meeting with EPA officials.
