Republican Sen. Ron Johnson stepped up his opposition to the Clean Power Plan earlier this week, voting in favor of a resolution that aims to block President Barack Obama's emissions-cutting plan.

The Environmental Protection Agency rule that was first announced in August aims to reduce power plant emissions that contribute to climate change. Johnson has been a staunch opponent of the plan, and has argued that it's an executive overreach.

The resolution Johnson helped approve Tuesday would "disapprove" the rule, which outlines standards for existing power plants. The Senate also passed another resolution that would block another EPA rule for new or modified plants.

Citizen groups have been writing more letters to Johnson and other critics of the Clean Power Plan. Sister Janet Weyker of the Eco-Justice Center in Racine works near the We Energies coal-fired plant in Oak Creek. Weyker said the utility helped the center pay for its solar and wind power systems, but that the company nevertheless needs to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions.

Sign up for daily news! Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter.

"They've helped us, and yet the problem bigger than that. We don't need just a Band-Aid on our problem," said Weyker. "We need a long-term solution."

Weyker said she's disappointed in Johnson's vote on the Senate resolution.

Meanwhile, Climate Central — a group of scientists and journalists — has given Wisconsin a "B-minus" on an assessment of states' preparedness for climate-change related risks.