ACC applauds EPA’s recent New Source Performance Standards

The American Conference of Cantors applauds the EPA’s recent issuing of New Source Performance Standards—which at long last creates the first greenhouse gas limits for power plants in the US. We have enormous concern about the numerous ill-effects of greenhouse gases and climate change, and strongly endorse the Obama administration’s efforts to take steps toward a comprehensive effort to deal with these alarming issues of health, safety and, ultimately, even economic policy. 

Our tradition teaches that we are all stewards of our planet:

And God saw everything that God had made, and found it very good.
And God said: This is a beautiful world that I have given you. Take good care of it; do not ruin it.
It is said: Before the world was created, the Holy One kept creating worlds and destroying them. Finally God created this world and was satisfied, saying to Adam: This is the last world I shall make. I place it in your hands: hold it in trust.
(Gen 1:3; Eccles. Rabbah 9 and Gen. Rabbah 9, as adapted by Rabbi Chaim Stern)