MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Environmentalists are urging Alabama leaders and residents to be more aware of the state’s carbon emissions. This is after the Supreme Court issued a ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, does not have the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
With each day seemingly hotter than the other, activists say climate change is here and they are worried. Catherine Flowers founded the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice.
“The heat index of 110 will be more common if we do not reduce emissions,” Flowers predicts, adding that the Supreme Court decision limiting the EPA’s regulatory power carbon emissions will not help with this reduction.
“It virtually limits the role the EPA can play in dealing with pollution regulation,” Flowers explained about the high court action.
The EPA, in collaboration with states, can still regulate polluting criteria such as nitrogen oxides. This new ruling says the agency will limit itself to regulating carbon emissions.
“This means that power doesn’t just go from departments and agencies to state and local government,” Flowers said.
So now, more than ever, Flowers says action needs to be taken. Michael Hansen with the Greater Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution agrees.
“Large industrial and electricity manufacturing users will have to help with that,” Hansen said. “They will have to take a step forward and demand cleaner electricity from power companies.”
Hansen believes that Alabamians can also make a difference.
“Reusable water bottles, reusable utensils, metal straws, help,” Hansen noted, adding that “you can do big and small things that collectively have a big impact.”
Hansen also believes that state leaders can help reduce these emissions and that voters have the power to choose who will do so.
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