Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) announced on Sunday that she supports President Obama’s plan to curb carbon emissions in the U.S. despite Republican Senate leaders’ opposition to the plan.
Ayotte confirmed her support for the plan after the Obama administration published the final rule for the Clean Power Plan on Friday.
“It’s so important that we protect New Hampshire’s beautiful environment for our economy and for our future. After carefully reviewing this plan and talking with members of our business community, environmental groups, and other stakeholders, I have decided to support the Clean Power Plan to address climate change through clean energy solutions that will protect our environment,” Ayotte said in a statement.
Since Obama released the draft of the Clean Power Plan, Republicans have fiercely opposed it. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has warned states against the effort, arguing that the regulations may not be legal. And a group of 24 states filed a lawsuit against the administration over the Clean Power Plan last week.
However, Ayotte faces a tough re-election bid for her Senate seat against New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan (D). The senator was also one of a handful of Republicans who voted for an amendment in January acknowledging that “human activity significantly contributes” to climate change.
H/t Huffington Post
