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Office of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia
Formerly the Office of Representative Gerry Connolly
The Washington, D.C., office and the district office of former Representative Connolly will continue to serve the people of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Representative Connolly passed away on May 21, 2025. See Press Release

SEEC "Green Dogs" Statement on Carbon Pollution Standard for Existing Sources

Washington, DC, June 2, 2014
The Sustainable Energy and Environmental Coalition, co-chaired by Representative Connolly, issued the following statement follow the EPA's announcement of proposed carbon pollution limits. Read more.

SEEC Statement on Carbon Pollution Standard for Existing Sources

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a draft proposal to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants.  Carbon emissions from human activities, such as power generation, are the principal driver of climate change.  Power plants are responsible for 40 percent of U.S. carbon emissions, representing our nation’s single largest source of carbon pollution.  The standards as proposed would reduce carbon pollution 25 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030, an equivalent of about 730 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, compared to 2005. 

In response to the announcement, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) issued the following statement:

“SEEC welcomes EPA’s first-ever proposal to cut carbon pollution from power plants.  Climate change is already altering the world around us.  All across our country people are witnessing its impacts, which will only worsen the longer we allow this problem to persist unmitigated.  We must work to address carbon pollution, the principal contributor to climate change.

“With today’s announcement, we are taking an important step in fulfilling our promise of a healthier and brighter tomorrow for our children.  We already have limits on toxins like lead, mercury, and arsenic.  Carbon pollution should be no different and as of today it no longer is.  In the first year alone, these safeguards will help prevent 100,000 asthma attacks and 2,100 heart attacks.   It’s a common-sense effort that builds on activities already underway in a number of states as well as other critical initiatives by the Administration to reign in carbon pollution, such as increasing the fuel efficiency of our vehicles and efficiency of our appliances.  

“In light of Congressional Republicans’ inability to recognize climate change and act in a responsible manner, we appreciate EPA stepping up and fulfilling its duty to protect generations now and in the future.  SEEC looks forward to working with all stakeholders in addressing climate change and moving America toward a sustainable, 21st century energy economy.”

SEEC is a coalition of fifty-six Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives that was founded in January 2009 to be a focused, active, and effective coalition for advancing “policies that promote clean energy technology innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, and create green collar jobs throughout the product supply-chain, and polices to help arrest global warming and protect our nation’s clean air, water and natural environment.”  SEEC is co-chaired by Reps. Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Steve Israel (D-NY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY). SEEC vice chairs are Reps. Rush Holt (D-NJ), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Doris Matsui (D-CA).