In a letter sent to all members of Congress today, national nonprofit Green America asked all members of the House and Senate to oppose efforts to undermine the EPA's authority to enforce the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon emissions. Writing on behalf of Green America's 140,000 individual members and 5,000 business members, Green America Executive Director Alisa Gravitz provided the following message to all members of the House and Senate.

"As determined by the EPA and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Clean Air Act's provisions should be applied to greenhouse gas emissions. This is also the finding of scientists under Republican and Democratic Administrations. The EPA's endangerment finding, based on scientific data, that global warming presents public health risks requires immediate action. On January 1, 2011 the EPA is scheduled to begin regulating carbon and this timeline should proceed without any delay.

Green America's individual members - representing families in all states - and our business members - mostly small to mid-size companies - have already taken key steps to reduce their carbon footprints. Our businesses are dedicated to running their companies in socially and environmentally responsible ways and these business leaders recognize that healthy citizens and communities are a prerequisite for the long-term economic well-being of our country. At the same time, we know that federal level policy is the only way to address carbon pollution at the scale required.

While efforts in recent months to weaken the Clean Air Act have failed, some legislators are again attempting to undermine the Act. For four decades, the Clean Air Act has played a central role in protecting air quality, improving public health, and saving lives. Its next greatest test is arguably the ability to protect the American people from the hazards posed by carbon emissions. The EPA has stated that the regulation of carbon will focus on the largest and dirtiest polluters.

I strongly urge you to vote against any bills or amendments that weaken or delay the ability of the Clean Air Act to do its job and regulate carbon emissions."

Green America is a national membership organization of consumers, business, and investors dedicated to harnessing economic power to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. Its individual membership of 140,000 and its business network of 5,000 responsible businesses have long advocated for the reduction in carbon emissions that are needed to prevent the most dire consequences of global climate change.

Green America

Green America

Green America is United States' leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. Green America's green economy programs encourage corporate responsibility, tackle climate change, build fair trading systems, advance healthy, local communities, and provide green purchasing and investing information for families and businesses. To receive Green America's popular publications, including the Green American and the National Green Pages™, participate in Green Festivals, or to get its free e-newsletter, providing the latest green news, green discounts, and opportunities to take action for a green economy, visit http://www.GreenAmerica.org, email info@GreenAmericaToday.org, or call at 800-58-GREEN.

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