Bob Perciasepe’s Statement on the 2015 State of the Union Address

Statement of Bob Perciasepe
President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

January 20, 2015

On the State of the Union address:

We commend President Obama for again putting the critical issue of climate change before Congress and the American public, and for committing to doing everything he can to strengthen America’s response.

Last year was the hottest globally since we started tracking temperature in 1880. Climate change is taking a toll here and now, and poses growing risks to communities and businesses across the country — to our infrastructure, water supplies, agriculture, ecosystems, and health.

This is a pivotal year for advancing the climate effort both at home and internationally, and the president’s continued leadership is essential on both fronts. Finalizing EPA’s plan to cut power plant emissions by empowering governors to seek innovative solutions will put the United States on track to permanently shrinking its carbon footprint and help set the stage for a new global climate deal in Paris.

The administration’s climate strategy is helping states, companies and communities to innovate to cut emissions, expand clean energy, and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. We will ultimately need action by Congress to get the job done. But for now, the president is right to move the country forward with the tools Congress has already provided.

Contact: Laura Rehrmann, rehrmannl@c2es.org or 703-516-0621

About C2ES: The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization promoting strong policy and action to address the challenges of energy and climate change. Launched in 2011, C2ES is the successor to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. Learn more at www.c2es.org.

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