Business coalition applauds power plant rule

A coalition of 176 companies, including Unilever, Mars Inc. and clothing maker VF Corp., sent letters Monday to the Obama administration and congressional leaders to support the administration’s proposal to limit power plant carbon dioxide emissions.

The letter campaign, which included 49 corporate investors, was organized by corporate sustainability group Ceres.

{mosads}“As businesses concerned about the immediate and long-term implications of climate change, we, the undersigned strongly support the principles behind the draft carbon pollution standard for existing power plants released today,” the companies wrote. “The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed carbon pollution standard for existing power plants represents a critical step in moving our country towards a clean energy economy.”

Ceres released a report last week concluding that major power companies have already drastically reduced their emissions in recent years, so further reductions should be attainable. Ceres found a 13 percent carbon dioxide reduction in from 2008 to 2012. 

“This powerful statement of support from more than 170 companies and investors is clear evidence that the EPA rule is both urgently needed and will help, not hinder, the U.S. economy,” Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, said in a statement. “Data shows that the electric power industry is already on a path toward a low carbon future, and this standard will accelerate this shift at the pace required by science.”