Obama's Clean Power Plan Gets a Jolt of Support from Corporations

Three hundred sixty-five companies and investors sent letters on Friday to more than two dozen governors supporting the Environmental Protection Agency's plans to significantly reduce carbon emissions from power plants, urging even the most recalcitrant states to recognize the economic and environmental benefits of the new rules.

The Clean Power Plan, expected to be issued in final form as early as Monday, has drawn significant opposition, particularly from Republicans and the fossil fuel industry, but the corporate push counters the argument that the regulations are bad for American business. 

"These standards...are critical for moving our country toward a clean energy economy," the companies wrote.

The letters represent the largest backing by American business owners to date for the Obama administration's regulations, the signature component of his agenda on climate change.  They also come just days before the agency is expected to finalize the carbon rules.

Signatories range from local businesses like Sixpoint Brewery in Brooklyn to Fortune 500 conglomerates like Staples, Gap, L'Oreal and Nestle.

Most of the companies that signed on to the campaign have been adopting sustainability measures for years with no negative impact, said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, a Boston-based non-profit that works with the business community on sustainability and climate change issues; Ceres organized the campaign.

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