Attorney General George Jepsen has said Connecticut will join other states in suing the Trump administration over its move to kill the Obama-era Clean Power Plan.
Jepsen said its especially important for Connecticut, with its many miles of coastline, to address climate change. He said the state’s economy is linked to “unique and sensitive resources" that will be affected.
The Clean Power Plan was intended to cut greenhouse gas emissions by pushing states to move away from fossil fuels that contribute to global warming, like coal.
New EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt argues that the Obama administration exceeded its regulatory powers in writing the document.
Top Connecticut politicians, all Democrats, have decried Pruitt’s move. On the House floor this week, Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney said Pruitt is ignoring the growing success of renewables like solar.
“The decision by Mr. Pruitt is not a pro-growth, pro-economic decision," he said. "It is simply responding, unfortunately, to political forces that drove this administration to power from the fossil fuel industry.”
Courtney urged people to take advantage of the public comment period on the decision to give their views.