EPA Hearings To be Held Today and Tomorrow in Atlanta-Political Titans to Hold Separate Rallies

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold public hearings in Atlanta today (July 29th) and tomorrow (July 30) allowing the public to weigh in on its “Clean Power Plan.”

Speaking slots have been filled (the majority of registered speakers appear heavily weighted towards proponents for the program). However, groups opposing the regulations (which attempt to limit the amount of carbon dioxide from coal plants) expect large ‘spill over’ rallies throughout both days. Americans for Prosperity has planned a noon rally outside the Omni Hotel in Atlanta. The group promises to give a free t shirt to each participant.

The Georgia Sierra Club has plans for similar events. Meanwhile, Mom’s Clean Air Force will be holding a “play-in” at Woodruff Park in support of the proposed rules.

An EPA website detailed the logistics for Atlanta and in other major U.S. cities including D.C., Pittsburg, and Denver this week.

The agency claims to have received 3,000 written comments and, to date, 1,600 Americans are signed up to speak on the rules. 400 individuals will speak in Atlanta.

The hearings are required by law.

The proposed plan outlines which states must reduce their carbon emissions but allows states some flexibility in how the emissions are reduced. Georgia, home to 9 utility-based coal plants, must reduce its carbon emissions by 44 percent by the year 2030. The nation-wide goal is to reduce emissions by 17 percent by that date.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity believe the rules are a needless job killer.

Environmentalists believe the estimated job losses within the coal industry will be replaced by ‘clean energy’ sector jobs. They claim drastic carbon emissions reductions are necessary to prevent the warming of the planet caused by a scientific phenomenon known as “global warming.”

Those wishing to attend the hearings may do so but must bring sufficient identification.

Written comments can be sent to the EPA via this link:

EPA Comment Procedure

The comment period on the proposal is open until October 16, 2014.

Event Details:

July 29 and July 30, 2014
Atlanta, Georgia
9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
NEW LOCATION:
Omni Hotel at CNN Center
North Tower, Level M4
100 CNN Center
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: (404) 659-0000

Look forward to continued FYN coverage on this topic throughout the week.

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