June 2, 2014

Lupe Flores

Statement from HACU president on the new Obama climate regulations released by EPA

On June 2, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposal that will set the first-ever national carbon pollution standards limits for America’s existing power plants. Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), has issued the following statement to express support for the proposed rules, which will require a steep reduction in carbon emissions while allowing states and companies broad flexibility in how they limit overall greenhouse-gas discharges.

“Climate change is of especial significance to low-income and minority populations that are affected most by its impacts. Institutions of higher education should have a key role in educating the broader community about environmental stewardship. Hispanic-Serving Institutions are already preparing the technicians and science professionals who will face the challenges of reducing carbon emissions, drawing from a young workforce of Hispanics across the country who are keenly aware of the impact climate change is already having on their communities. They have a vested interest in solving this problem, not just for their immediate communities, but for the nation and the entire globe."

Information on climate change and President Obama’s Action Plan is available here: www.whitehouse.gov/climatechange.