NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 30, 2022
Contact: Tiffany Hartung, tiffany@interfaithpowerandlight.org
Interfaith Power & Light Response to Supreme Court West Virginia v. EPA Decision:
Calls on Congress to Pass Bold Federal Action to Advance Climate Justice
Washington, DC– Today the Supreme Court of the United States released a decision on the West Virginia v. EPA case that limits the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to reduce carbon pollution from power plants. The decision will limit the EPA’s ability to set the strong standards needed to cut carbon pollution and tackle the climate crisis.
Interfaith Power & Light and state affiliates denounced the ruling and released the following statements:
Rev. Susan Hendershot, President of Interfaith Power & Light:
“Make no mistake, the Supreme Court’s ruling today risks the lives of thousands of people by limiting the ability of the U.S. government to regulate carbon pollution from power plants. It prioritizes polluters, especially the coal industry, over people. This is a moral travesty.
People of faith and conscience have long been advocating for climate policy that will safeguard our children’s future and care for those burdened by pollution and climate impacts. Rest assured that we will continue to fight for these policies and carry out our faithful commitment to care for God’s creation and protect the vulnerable.”
Rev. Doug Bland, Executive Director of Arizona Interfaith Power & Light:
“Last summer, with 53 days of 110 degrees or hotter and 144 days over 100 degrees, was Arizona’s hottest in recorded history. Since 2009 more than 2,000 people have died from exposure to excessive heat in Arizona. Arizoanans need our government to act. Today’s Supreme Court ruling will hurt Arizoanans.”
David Heayn-Menendez, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light:
“We have a moral responsibility to future generations to protect our Sacred Earth. In light of today’s Supreme Court decision, it’s even more important for Congress to act swiftly to take bold and just action now to address climate change.”
Codi Norred, Executive Director of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light:
“Communities across Georgia are dealing with the environmental impacts of sea level rise, leaking coal ash ponds, and an unjust energy burden. It’s even more clear now that Congress must now act to protect Americans’ health, care for Creation, and create a more inclusive, sustainable economy.”
Peter Bakken, Wisconsin Statewide Coordinator for Faith in Place:
“Our dirty energy economy is on a collision course with climate catastrophe. We need the EPA to be able to address climate pollution to improve the lives and health of all Wisconsinites, protect our precious air, lands and water, and bequeath a safe climate for our children and grandchildren. We now look to Congress to address the climate crisis, tackle environmental injustice, and boost our defense against climate-induced disasters.”
Leah Wiste, Executive Director of Michigan Interfaith Power & Light:
“Low-wealth communities and communities of color are hit first and worst by climate change and experience disproportionate air and water pollution. Today’s Supreme Court ruling will harm our communities. We need Congress to act to adopt a bold climate policy that centers the voices and needs of these communities.”
Dr. Faith Harris, Co-Executive Director of Virginia Interfaith Power & Light:
“The EPA is the agency tasked with protecting the air, water, and ultimately the environment we depend upon for our lives. We need every level of government to work toward reducing the impacts of climate change and protecting these critical resources.”
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Interfaith Power & Light is a national nonprofit organization with 40 state affiliates and 22,000 congregations in all 50 states. IPL inspires and mobilizes people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change.
