Pennsylvanians Share Concerns About Pollution With EPA Officials

By Mike Dougherty

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection are traveling the state to speak with residents about their climate change concerns before drafting a Clean Power Plan.

The hearing on Penn's campus is one of more than a dozen hearings statewide. Pennsylvania's EPA secretary John Quigley says Governor Wolf wanted feedback before moving forward with a plan.

"What we're hearing is very strong support for the Clean Power Plan," says Quigley, "very strong support for reducing Pennsylvania's carbon dioxide emissions by the goal of 33-percent, by 2030."

Among the speakers was Joseph Minott with the Clean Air Council who says Pennsylvania is one of the most polluted states because of its reliance on fossil fuels.

"We need to change that dynamic and the Clean Power Plan provides that opportunity, and this is an administration that, I believe, sees that opportunity."

He wants to see greater government investment in wind and solar energy.

There are a number of hearings left on the calendar.

In:
• Pennsylvania
• Environment
• Pollution
• Philadelphia