Conservationists Ask Johnson To Support Emissions Rules

Two conservation groups will present petition signatures to Sen. Ron Johnson’s Oshkosh office on Friday urging him to support proposed carbon emission rules.

President Barack Obama’s “Clean Power Plan” calls for power plants to cut carbon emissions by roughly one-third by the year 2030. Johnson is one of 48 senators who say the plan goes too far, calling it an “executive overreach.”

However, members of the Fox Valley Sierra Club and the League of Conservation voters say the regulations will be good for the environment. Alan Lawrence, who heads the Sierra Club group, collected 60 signatures at an event last week. He acknowledged it won’t do much to sway the senator.

“I’m pessimistic about that, but I am optimistic that presenting it is another step forward in letting him know that he really does have pressure against him,” said Lawrence.

The League of Conservation voters has 1,500 signatures on its petition.

Johnson said he’ll back a resolution next month to “disapprove” of the EPA regulations for existing power plants.