Arlington County Among Dozens Backing Carbon Pollution Limits in Court

Media Contacts
Sarah Bucci

Environment Virginia

Washington, DC — Today, Arlington County was among more than 50 city and county governments from 28 states, together with The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, filing an amicus brief today in support of the Clean Power Plan – the centerpiece of the U.S. strategy to tackle climate change that was delayed by the Supreme Court in February. The brief argued that the carbon pollution limits on power plants is critical to the safety and economic security of local communities across the country.

City and county governments are the first line of defense in weather disasters and climate impacts, which are exacerbated by global warming. Many cities are already experiencing — and paying for — damage caused by climate change. More than ninety percent of Virginians live in cities or counties hit by at least one weather disaster in the last five years.

“From extreme weather events to public health risks from air pollution, cities are on the frontlines of climate change’s impacts,” said Sarah Bucci, State Director with Environment Virginia. “That’s why they’ve long been at the forefront promoting clean energy and curbing climate pollution. Thanks to Arlington County for standing up in court for the biggest step the U.S. has ever taken to tackle global warming.”

Arlington County has already taken steps in their Community Energy Plan to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy and reduce the county’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“Environmental sustainability is a core value in Arlington. Though local governments are on the front line of addressing climate change, we need the federal government’s help in reducing carbon emissions. We are pleased to stand with President Obama in his efforts to protect the future of our communities and our country,” said Jay Fisette, Vice-Chair, Arlington County Board.

The local government brief builds on strong demand for climate action by cities and counties, which view the Clean Power Plan as a “legally necessary step toward addressing the extraordinary threat posed by climate change.” Last year, dozens of mayors sent a letter to President Obama urging him to “provide a path forward to make meaningful reductions in carbon pollution while preparing for the impacts of climate change.”

“We’re confident that the Clean Power Plan will ultimately survive attacks from the polluters, with help of local governments like Arlington,” said Bucci. “Less pollution and more clean energy just makes sense for our kids’ health and our planet’s future.”

Read the full brief: https://web.law.columbia.edu/climate-change/document-login/document-access

Amicus Brief Signatories 

The U.S. Conference of Mayors; The National League of Cities; ARIZONA: Tucson; CALIFORNIA: Berkeley, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, West Hollywood; COLORADO: Boulder County, Fort Collins; FLORIDA: Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Miami, Miami Beach, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Pinecrest, West Palm Beach; GEORGIA: Clarkston; IDAHO: Boise; ILLINOIS: Aurora, Elgin, Evanston, Highland Park; INDIANA: Bloomington, Carmel; MAINE: Portland; MASSACHUSETTS: Boston, Holyoke; MARYLAND: Baltimore; MICHIGAN: Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids; MINNESOTA: Minneapolis; MONTANA: Missoula; NEVADA: Henderson, Reno; NEW JERSEY: Hoboken, Jersey City; NEW YORK: Rochester, Syracuse; NORTH CAROLINA: Chapel Hill; OHIO: Newburgh Heights; OREGON: Eugene, Milwaukie, Portland; PENNSYLVANIA: Pittsburgh, West Chester; RHODE ISLAND: Providence; TENNESSEE: Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero; TEXAS: Houston, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings; UTAH: Salt Lake City; VIRGINIA: Arlington County; WASHINGTON: Bellingham, King County; WISCONSIN: Madison, Washburn