Statements from Companies and Investors in Support of EPA’s Clean Power Plan in Wake of Supreme Court Ruling
Ceres
BOSTON – Feb 11, 2016
Over 365 businesses and investors support the Clean Power Plan. Hear what some of these leaders have to say.
“We’re disappointed with the action by the Court. We believe EPA has ample legal authority to pursue the Clean Power Plan. In addition, EPA has taken a measured and reasonable approach to pursuing GHG reductions, allowing states a great degree of flexibility in meeting the CPP targets over an extended compliance period between 2022 and 2030. PG&E will continue to support the Clean Power Plan and will move forward with the many steps we are taking to support California’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gases.” − Melissa Lavinson, Vice President of Federal Affairs and Policy, and Chief Sustainability Officer, PG&E Corporation
“Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, National Grid still strongly supports EPA’s Clean Power Plan. We stand by our belief that the CPP is not only reasonable and achievable, but imperative to meeting the nation’s greenhouse gas reduction commitment established at COP21. As we continue to stress with our customers and industry partners, tomorrow’s power grid and energy supply chain must look different than today’s. Climate change is a global imperative, and we must find ways to transition our energy industry into a decarbonized future. That means every player—including system operators, generators, distributors, and policy makers—must collaborate at a level our country has never seen before.” – Dean Seavers, President, National Grid U.S.
“Levi Strauss & Co. was proud to join 365 other companies and investors in support of the Clean Power Plan last year. We are surprised and disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Plan while the lawsuit proceeds. Despite the decision, Levi Strauss & Co. is committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, and will continue to advocate for policies that stem climate change.” − Anna Walker, Senior Director of Global Policy and Advocacy, Levi Strauss & Co.
“Modernizing our nation’s electric supplies, as the Clean Power Plan would do, is good for Colorado, good for the country and good for the environment. By reducing the carbon pollution that is disrupting our climate, the Clean Power Plan will help New Belgium Brewing achieve our goals of clean energy, secure water supplies and sustainable agriculture supply chains. While the court’s decision is disappointing, our company and our governor remain committed to renewable energy and a low-carbon economic future.” − Jennifer Vervier, Director of Sustainability and Strategic Projects, New Belgium Brewing
“As one of the 366 businesses that publicly signed on to support the Clean Power Plan last year, Autodesk remains more committed than ever to design a low carbon future, powered by clean energy. Of all the challenges we face, none is more pressing and has greater implications for the international community than climate change. It is a systemic challenge that will require collaboration, as well as creativity, imagination, and innovation across sectors.” − Lynelle Cameron, Senior Director of Sustainability and CEO, Autodesk Foundation
“The Clean Power Plan is essential to the viability of Colorado’s ski industry and the 46,000 Coloradans who depend on the industry to put food on the table. The Supreme Court’s stay doesn’t change the reality that we experience almost one additional month of frost-free days today than we did in 1980. Furthermore, a changing climate represents a clear and present threat to the United States outdoor industry and the livelihoods of 6.1 million Americans. We look forward to the courts getting it right after careful consideration of the importance of clean air and a stable climate to the economy.” – Matt Hamilton, Sustainability Director, Aspen Skiing Company
“The Supreme Court decision to put a stay on the Clean Power Plan won’t put a stay on Clif Bar’s commitment to a clean energy future, including the use of 100% green power for our facilities, the increased use of green power in our supply chain, and to our on-going commitment to achieving climate neutral business operations. The Supreme Court decision will not deter us from doing what is good for people’s health and the health of our planet. We are not alone in this commitment; we stand with hundreds of other companies that support a clean energy future.” – Elysa Hammond, Director of Environmental Stewardship, Clif Bar & Company.
“Calvert is disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Clean Power Plan, because it could delay progress in addressing the urgent challenge of climate change. Despite the delay, we continue to see an inevitable global transition from an energy system based on fossil fuels that are dangerous to source and cause adverse environmental impacts to one based on renewable energy sources; a system that is safe, secure, clean, reliable, and affordable. Driven by technological advancements and concerns about climate change, this transition will continue to provide opportunities for investors and business alike.” − Stu Dalheim, Vice President of Shareholder Advocacy, Calvert Investments
“US SIF is dismayed by the US Supreme Court’s decision to temporarily stay implementation of the Clean Power Plan. As the US membership association for professionals, firms, institutions and organizations engaged in sustainable, responsible and impact investing, we support the Clean Power Plan because it will help unleash investment in clean energy sources, drive innovation, protect public health, benefit US consumers and bolster international efforts to curb climate change. While we are confident that the courts will uphold the rule, any undue delay in its implementation risks further buildup of dangerous greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere and introduces uncertainty to the investors who seek to finance America’s clean energy future.” − Lisa Woll, CEO, US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment
“The urgency of the need to move toward a low-carbon future seems to have been lost on the Supreme Court when they elected to stay the Clean Power Plan. The impact of carbon emissions is a real and immediate threat to the vitality of our nation and our planet—one that must be met by the public and private sectors alike—and we are deeply disappointed in the Court’s shortsighted, ill-advised ruling.”– Sonia Kowell, President, Zevin Asset Management
“The Clean Power Plan is a key component of the United States’ plan to combat climate change. While the Supreme Court’s announcement slows the process, it is only forestalling the inevitable. Businesses are resolved to act to combat climate change; investors are allocating capital to facilitate the transition to low-carbon economy; and the general public supports these efforts. In fact, close to three quarters of all Americans supporting climate action and climate policies like the CPP.” – Tim Smith, Director of Environmental, Social, and Governance Shareowner Engagement, Walden Asset Management
“As radical as the Supreme Court action is, I still think we will look back on this development as a blip. We fully expect the CPP to weather these legal storms and to continue providing an important policy signal that we are transitioning to a clean energy future. The economic, social, political and market forces that are driving progress towards a low carbon economy and are supporting the CPP are very strong.” – Jonas Kron, Senior Vice President and Director of Shareholder Advocacy, Trillium Asset Management
“On the international stage, where the United States is accountable for meeting the objectives outlined in Paris, we have an obligation to maintain the commitments we made and to further the new moment that emerged from Paris. The challenge to the Clean Power Plan from states and industry, and the stay from the Supreme Court, are contrary to these shared global goals of mitigating the worst impacts of climate change on poor and vulnerable communities throughout the planet. We recognize this is a temporary setback, yet investors expect our portfolio companies to maintain the momentum of the low carbon transition that is underway.” − Sister Patricia Daly, OP Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell NJ and Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment
“Reducing carbon emissions through the Clean Power Plan is essential to fostering a stable business environment for investors. Shortsighted attempts to derail it threaten economic progress.” − Leslie Samuelrich, President, Green Century Capital Management
“As an association of cooperative grocers, increasingly aware of the impact of climate change on our food system, we were surprised and disappointed in the Supreme Court decision to stay the Clean Power Plan. Given the Plan’s vital importance at home, and for the integrity of the Paris climate agreement, we are advising our members to continue doing their part to advance a low-carbon future. The future of our industry depends on our leadership.“ – Robynn Schrader, CEO, National Co+op Grocers
“The world is watching and waiting to see if the US will stand behind the commitments we made in Paris. The Supreme Court’s action to not back EPA’s legal authority is extremely troubling and disappointing. We need to reassure the world that we are leaders in addressing the most critical problem of our time. HAPPYFAMILY is doubling down on our efforts to mitigate climate risk. We believe that all children are entitled to a happy, healthy future powered by clean, renewable energy.” – Jessica Rolph, Founding Partner and COO HAPPYFAMILY
“The Supreme Court decision to temporarily stay the Clean Power Plan is unfortunate but it will in no way impact United Natural Foods Incorporated (UNFI) commitment to renewable energy, energy efficiency and reduction of our greenhouse gas footprint. UNFI is completely committed to our renewable energy goals and we call on other business leaders to keep their commitments and to demonstrate that leadership of the private sector.” – Melody L Meyer, VP Corporate Social Responsibility, Policy & Industry Relations, United Natural Foods Incorporated
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