More Than 100 Small Business Owners Sign onto Letter Urging Lawmakers to Support Clean Power Plan

Washington D.C. — As part of Small Business Majority's national sign-on campaign, more than 100 small business owners from across the country have signed onto a letter urging lawmakers to support the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan—national standards that will limit carbon pollution, lower energy costs and create new market opportunities for small businesses. The letter will be sent to federal and state lawmakers to show small businesses support the Clean Power Plan and believe clean energy policies spur innovation and create jobs.

In coming weeks, the Environmental Protection Agency will release rules under the Clean Power Plan to limit carbon emissions from existing power plants for the first time. Each state will be able to develop its own plan to meet guidelines in the Clean Power Plan, which gives every state the flexibility to craft a blueprint that best fits the needs of its residents and businesses. By meeting these standards, states will improve efficiency of existing power plants, use more renewable energy sources and increase energy efficiency measures. What's more, a report from the University of Maryland and Industrial Economics found that the rules will create up to 273,000 jobs between 2025 and 2040.

"I signed on to the letter because supporting the Clean Power Plan is the right thing to do for our economy and for small businesses," said Michelle Greenfield, owner of Third-Sun Solar in Athens, Ohio. "As a small business owner, the health of the U.S. economy is vitally important to me. To stay competitive, it's crucial that we encourage innovation, particularly in the fast-growing clean energy sector. It's time for us to invest in our future and embrace stronger clean energy standards now."

Polling conducted on behalf of Small Business Majority shows business owners consistently support policies that address climate change and other clean energy needs, especially if these policies include incentives for energy efficiency. Eighty-seven percent of small business owners believe improving clean energy innovation and efficiency are good ways to increase prosperity for small business through job creation and cost savings, and 71 percent believe government investments in clean energy and energy efficiency will stimulate the economy.

"Clean energy policies, like the Clean Power Plan, will encourage innovation, unleashing new economic opportunities for small businesses and providing cost savings," said John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority. "In fact, the Clean Power Plan is expected to keep electricity bills roughly 8 percent lower than they would be otherwise. Those are savings that small businesses can use to hire more employees, grow their business and jumpstart their local economy."

Entrepreneurs can continue to sign onto the letter at http://www.smallbusinessforcleanenergy.com/

To schedule an interview with a small business owner who signed the letter or a representative from Small Business Majority, contact Kelsey Bye at [email protected] or (202) 289-0957.