The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new rule that -- for the first time ever -- would require dirty coal plants and other big smokestack industries to meet modern global warming pollution standards. Specifically, the rule would require large polluters (those that emit more than 25,ooo tons a year of global warming pollution) to meet pollution standards when new facilities are built or existing facilities are upgraded in ways that increase pollution.

Below is information for citizens who plan to attend the hearings on Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Arlington, Virginia.

Thank you for helping to show that Americans support cutting pollution from dirty coal plants and moving to clean energy sources, like wind and solar power. For additional information, e-mail Alex Ussia at alex.ussia@environmentamerica.org.

What to expect at the hearings

The hearing room will be set up with chairs for the public and participants. Several EPA officials will sit at a table at the front of the room, and there will be a table or podium for people who want to speak and share their views on the proposal. People who want to speak (and we hope you do!) will sign up with the EPA and have five or less minutes to speak (see below for suggestions).

If you attend the hearing but do not want to speak, you can sign a postcard urging the EPA to finalize a strong rule, or write your own comment and submit it for the record.

Background for people who plan to speak out

If you want to speak out in support of the proposal, sign up when you arrive, and the EPA will slot you into the schedule at the earliest possible time. When it's your turn to speak, you should take five or less minutes. Here are a few basic pointers to help prepare your statement ahead of time:

• Start by saying that you're a concerned citizen.

• Thank the EPA for the opportunity to participate in the hearing. Speak loudly, slowly and with confidence. They are there to hear from you!

• Finally, remember to smile and have fun. You’re making a difference for our planet and our future.

Suggestions for people who speak out

Here are suggestions on what to say at the hearing:

• My name is ________, and I am ________.  I am here because ________.

[Your profession, where you are from, or something that describes you and why you are here (concern over global warming, national security, green jobs, holding polluters accountable, wanting to move to wind, solar, and other clean energy sources, etc.) -- example: I'm a parent, activist, and outdoorsman, and I am here because I'm concerned about global warming.]

If you have a personal story that you can tell, please consider including it in the beginning of your testimony. It can be as short or as long as you like and will make your testimony more memorable. We would rather the EPA hear from real people with real concerns than just hear the same talking points repeated.

It can be on whatever you are most concerned or happy about or just a background story that explains why you care enough about this issue to come out and testify. Some topic ideas include local global warming impacts, how pleased and proud you are that the EPA and President Obama are respecting science and law and taking action, and the need to move quickly to address global warming.

• Global warming is a very serious problem. [Explain why you think this is true.]

• Big coal-fired power plants are the single largest source of global warming pollution in the nation. Many coal plants are old, inefficient and rely on outdated technology.

• I support the EPA's proposed rule, which puts the Clean Air Act to work to cut global warming pollution from coal plants and other big smokestack industries. To successfully stop global warming and transition to clean energy, like wind and solar power, the EPA must hold coal plants and other big smokestack industries to modern pollution standards.

• The EPA's proposal is common sense since it targets only the biggest polluters and requires these polluters to meet modern pollution standards. It's long past time for coal plants and other big polluters to cut their global warming pollution.

• It's time for big polluters to clean up so that America can fight global warming and move to clean energy. [Explain why you think this is important, such as the fact that clean energy sources, like wind and solar power, don't harm the environment, never run out, and will create new jobs across America.]

• Thank you for this opportunity. I urge the EPA to finalize this important rule to fight global warming and move America to clean energy.