, , , ,

Johnson Votes For Resolution Blocking Clean Power Plan

Republican Senator Has Called Obama's Carbon Emissions Rule An 'Executive Overreach'

By
Shawn Johnson/WPR.

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson stepped up his opposition to the Clean Power Plan earlier this week, voting in favor of a resolution that aims to block President Barack Obama’s emissions-cutting plan.

The Environmental Protection Agency rule that was first announced in August aims to reduce power plant emissions that contribute to climate change. Johnson has been a staunch opponent of the plan, and has argued that it’s an executive overreach.

The resolution Johnson helped approve Tuesday would “disapprove” the rule, which outlines standards for existing power plants. The Senate also passed another resolution that would block another EPA rule for new or modified plants.

Stay informed on the latest news

Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Citizen groups have been writing more letters to Johnson and other critics of the Clean Power Plan. Sister Janet Weyker of the Eco-Justice Center in Racine works near the We Energies coal-fired plant in Oak Creek. Weyker said the utility helped the center pay for its solar and wind power systems, but that the company nevertheless needs to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions.

“They’ve helped us, and yet the problem bigger than that. We don’t need just a Band-Aid on our problem,” said Weyker. “We need a long-term solution.”

Weyker said she’s disappointed in Johnson’s vote on the Senate resolution.

Meanwhile, Climate Central — a group of scientists and journalists — has given Wisconsin a “B-minus” on an assessment of states’ preparedness for climate-change related risks.