The American Lung Association in Minnesota was disappointed to hear of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling to put the Clean Power Plan on hold as the courts review the legal challenges. We applaud Gov. Mark Dayton’s plans to keep moving forward on clean energy initiatives, including the development of our state’s Clean Power Plan.

Carbon pollution drives climate change that threatens lung health and safety today. The Clean Power Plan promises significant health benefits, including the prevention nationwide of up to 3,600 premature deaths and 90,000 asthma attacks in 2030, when the plan is scheduled to be fully implemented, as well as 300,000 missed days of work and school.

Minnesota needs clean air and a healthier environment, and we need clean, reliable and affordable electricity, too. Under the Clean Power Plan, we get both. While we wait for the courts to resolve the challenges, Minnesota is wise to move forward toward cleaner, healthier power.

Robert Moffitt is the communications director for the American Lung Association in Minnesota.

MinnPost welcomes original letters from readers on current topics of general interest. Interested in joining the conversation? Submit your letter to the editor. The choice of letters for publication is at the discretion of MinnPost editors; they will not be able to respond to individual inquiries about letters.