I’m disappointed to learn the Supreme Court granted a temporary stay of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan. But I’m thankful to know that this highly unusual decision does not overturn the Clean Power Plan as some climate deniers would have you believe. It merely allows a pause in developing implementation plans while the industry lawsuits are considered by the courts.

The reality is that Americans overwhelmingly support action to protect public health by reducing carbon pollution.

The Clean Power Plan is the greatest single step the U.S. has ever taken to address climate change and has a strong legal foundation under one of our nation’s bedrock laws – the Clean Air Act. Despite this disappointing ruling, states, including Colorado, should continue to take steps to reduce dangerous carbon pollution and accelerate the transition to cleaner, safer energy that will create new jobs for Coloradans.

Smart leaders, those truly looking ahead, will move forward on this because it makes sense for our state to take advantage of the opportunity to lead on clean energy. Our health and safety depends on it.

Thankfully, Gov. John Hickenlooper’s push to “stay the course” on Clean Power Plan implementation shows that Colorado is one such leader.

Anna McDevitt

Environment Colorado

Denver