Widmer Brothers Brewing founders say they support the Clean Power Plan’s carbon pollution limits.
In an editorial published in the Oregonian, founders Kurt Widmer and Rob Widmer write that the proposed carbon standards for existing power plants will create jobs and grow the economy: “The EPA Clean Power Plan offers just that opportunity, protecting consumers by driving investment away from fossil fuel technology, particularly coal, and towards increased energy efficiency and renewable energy.”
Climate change threatens the beer industry, they say. “Water availability and even barley production — two key ingredients in making beer — are threatened by climate change. The Clean Power Plan is only one piece of needed action; the state [of Oregon] must do more as well…In the meantime, we are behind these rules as a vitally significant step to reduce carbon pollution.”
Comments on the Clean Power Plan are due Dec. 1.
In a letter supporting the EPA proposal, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative states say the proposed carbon pollution standards for existing power plants could achieve even greater emissions reductions.
The nine Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic have already achieved a 40 percent reduction in regional CO2 emissions from the electricity sector, compared to 2005 levels. The Clean Power Plan requires these states to reduce their emissions by a combined 38 percent.