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[Pages S28-S29]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MEMORANDUM OF DISAPPROVAL
S.J. Res. 24 is a joint resolution providing for congressional
disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5 of the United States Code of a
rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relating to
``Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources:
Electric Utility Generating Units.'' This resolution would nullify the
Clean Power Plan, the first national standards to address climate-
destabilizing greenhouse gas pollution from existing power plants.
Accordingly, I am withholding my approval of this resolution. (The
Pocket Veto Case, 279 U.S. 655 (1929)).
Climate change poses a profound threat to our future and future
generations. Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse
gas, are higher than they have been in at least 800,000 years. In 2009,
EPA determined that greenhouse gas pollution endangers Americans'
health and welfare by causing long-lasting changes in the climate that
can have, and are already having, a range of negative effects on human
health, the climate, and the environment. We are already seeing the
impacts of climate change, and established science confirms that we
will experience stronger storms, deeper droughts, longer wildfire
seasons, and other intensified impacts as the planet warms. The
Pentagon has determined that climate change poses immediate risks to
our national security.
The Clean Power Plan is a tremendously important step in the fight
against global climate change. It is projected to reduce carbon
pollution from power plants by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. It
builds on progress States and the power sector are already making to
move toward cleaner
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energy production, and gives States the time and flexibility they need
to develop tailored, cost-effective plans to reduce their emissions. By
nullifying the Clean Power Plan, S.J. Res. 24 not only threatens
ongoing progress toward cleaner energy, but would also eliminate public
health and other benefits of up to $54 billion per year by 2030,
including thousands fewer premature deaths from air pollution and
thousands fewer childhood asthma attacks each year.
The Clean Power Plan is essential in addressing the largest source of
greenhouse gas pollution in our country. It is past time to act to
mitigate climate impacts on American communities. Because the
resolution would overturn the Clean Power Plan, which is critical to
protecting against climate change and ensuring the health and well-
being of our Nation, I cannot support it.
To leave no doubt that the resolution is being vetoed, in addition to
withholding my signature, I am returning S.J. Res. 24 to the Secretary
of the Senate, along with this Memorandum of Disapproval.
Barack Obama.
The White House, December 18, 2015.
____
One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the sixth day of
January, two thousand and fifteen
Joint Resolution
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of
title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the
Environmental Protection Agency relating to ``Carbon
Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary
Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units''.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress disapproves the
rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to
``Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources:
Electric Utility Generating Units'' (published at 80 Fed. Reg. 64662
(October 23, 2015)), and such rule shall have no force or effect.
Paul D. Ryan,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Orrin Hatch,
President of the Senate pro tempore.
____________________
