Sun Sentinel Broward Edition

Climate report: Pay now or later

Failure to act will cost billions down the road, EPA says

- By Matthew Daly Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Failure to act on climate change could cause an estimated 57,000 deaths a year in the United States from poor air quality by 2100, the Obama administra­tion argued in a report that warns of dire effects of global warming.

The new report says inaction on climate change could cost billions of dollars a year in damage from rising sea levels, increased wildfires and drought, as well as higher costs for electricit­y to cool homes and businesses in hotter temperatur­es.

The Environmen­tal Protection Agency report, released Monday, argues that action now on climate could save billions in avoided costs for maintenanc­e and repairs on roads and bridges made vulnerable by global warming and save the lives of an estimated 12,000 in 49 U.S. cities who could die from extreme temperatur­es in 2100.

The report comes as Republican­s in Congress seek to undo the administra­tion’s environmen­tal policies, including an expected plan by the EPA to target coal-fired power plants, and days after Pope Francis issued a stern warning about global warming’s consequenc­es.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheri­c Administra­tion said last month was the hottest May around the globe in 136 years of global records.

The White House report is part of a weeklong effort to emphasize climate change to mark the second anniversar­y of a “climate action plan” announced by President Barack Obama.

While the most severe effects of global warming would not be felt for decades, the Obama administra­tion said decisions about climate change need to be made now.

“Decisions are not going to wait 50 years,” EPA Administra­tor Gina McCarthy told reporters at a White House briefing. “They are today’s decisions.”

The EPA report says actions to slow climate change could save about $3.1 billion in expected costs from sea level rise and storm surge in 2100, while the power sector could save as much as $34 billion by 2050 in avoided costs for additional electricit­y for air conditioni­ng and other uses.

The Republican-controlled House is expected to vote this week on a bill to scale back the plan on coal-fired power plants, the centerpiec­e of Obama’s second-term push to confront climate change.

The bill would allow states to opt out of the plan if the governor determines it would cause significan­t rate hikes for electricit­y or harm reliabilit­y of service in the state. The bill also would delay the rule until all court challenges are completed.

The House also is expected to take up a separate spending bill that would bar the EPA from enforcing the power plant rules, cut the agency’s budget and attack other prominent EPA regulation­s on air and water pollution.

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