In the business of addressing climate change, The Washington Post says Congress is not managing the risks, dangerously ignoring them at our own peril.

“If Congress were the board of a large company, ignoring such a serious risk would give shareholders ample reason to fire every head-in-the-sand director. Voters might want to contemplate the analogy this November,” the Post’s editorial board said July 6.

That analogy should worry climate deniers in light of reports that voters are nearly three times more likely to vote for a candidate who backs climate action. Communities across the country, who continue to feel the growing impacts of climate change, are demanding action to protect the health and safety of our children and future generations.

Maine has already invested in its future through participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which has reduced carbon pollution from power plants in the Northeast by 40 percent, while generating more than $30 million for energy efficiency investments in Maine alone.

Even more impressive, electricity prices have dropped by 14 percent in Maine and by 8 percent across all RGGI states since the program began in 2008. Non-RGGI states have seen an increase in electricity prices by 6 percent over the same period.

Clearly there doesn’t need to be a compromise between the environment and the economy. The EPA recognizes this with its Clean Power Plan. It’s time for Congress to pull its head out of the sand and stand up to big polluters as well.

Alexandra Balter

Portland


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