Oct. 25, 2017: Editor's note:  Congressman Eliot L. Engel released the following letter on October 15, 2017.

Dear Friends,

The Administration has been trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Now, they're going after another lifesaving health protection: America's first and only federal limit on pollution from existing power plants.

Repealing pollution limits for power plants will, I feel, take our country backward. It will expose millions of Americans to more dangerous pollutants that contribute significantly to asthma and respiratory illness—two health issues that are already a big problem in the Bronx and Westchester region. It will also hinder our economic growth and exacerbate the growing threat of climate change.

The hurricanes and wildfires that have gripped our country over the past few months demonstrate that extreme weather can cause horrific human devastation and grind local economies to a halt. The world's climate scientists agree; we will see more events like these if we don't take measures to transition to clean energy and cut pollution.

I believe this is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to please the polluters of yesterday while undermining clean-energy jobs of today and tomorrow. The future lies with clean, renewable energy and will belong to whichever nation prioritizes it. With this move, in my opinion, the Administration is leaving the door open for countries like China to become global leaders in energy.

It is imperative that we do not cede America's position as a future leader in renewable energy.

Sincerely,

Eliot L. Engel
MEMBER OF CONGRESS