Tell the President to be our Clean Air Champion!
The Administration and the EPA are under pressure to weaken one of the most important clean air standards over the next week.The Mercury and Toxic Air Pollution Standards for power plants is something AMERICA NEEDS to reduce mercury and toxins from fouling our fish, forests, and waterways and to decrease particle pollution that contributes to respiratory and cardiac disease and causes pre-mature death.
Toxic air pollution comes from some of our oldest and dirtiest coal-fired power plants. Many of these large sources have cleaned up already with a net benefit to our economy (the sky did not fall) and major clean air benefits. Unfortunately there are some urging the Administration that the remaining clean-up be delayed.They are protecting polluters over our health as they fight to weaken clean air standards for the most toxic air pollutants. We need a strong final rule to dramatically reduce the largest source of mercury emissions and prevent 17,000 premature deaths every year.
Keep the chain going and pass on the Facebook post!
ACT NOW for Clean Air and Water! Tell President Obama (in your own words or use this message) to post on the White House Council on Environmental Quality's Facebook page: "Mr. President – Clean air and water is important to me as an outdoor enthusiast. The polluting of our fish, forests, waterways, and lands with toxic air pollution such as mercury and arsenic must stop.Show the American public you value clean air and water as much as I do and be our champion for a strong rule on toxic air pollution!"
On Nov. 10th, 2011 the majority of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Senators voted to defeat a resolution that would have overturned the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
Here in New England we value healthy forests, lakes and streams, and clear mountain views. We enjoy getting outside to fish, hike, and canoe. But when upwind power plants spew out air pollution the Northeast gets the acid rain, haze pollution, and ozone that can foul our waters, blocks mountain views, and damage our lungs. Most concerning is the air pollution that aggravates asthma, cardiac disease, and can cause premature death.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to solve these problems with the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which was finalized in July of 2011 and will require upwind states clean up power plant emissions at no cost to New England states. The value of this important clean air policy was recognized by a bi-partisan group of Senators who defeated S.J. Resolution 27 that would have overturn CSAPR.
Below is the list of Senators who voted for Clean Air! Contact your Senator to thank them by calling the Congressional switchboard: (202) 224-3121
- Shaheen (D-NH) Ayotte (R-NH)
- Collins (R-ME) Snowe (R-ME)
- Leahy (D-VT) Sanders (I-VT)
- Kerry (D-MA) Brown (R-MA)
- Lieberman (ID-CT) Blumenthal (D-CT)
- Reed (D-RI) Whitehouse (D-RI)
- Schumer (D-NY) Gillibrand (D-NY)
- Casey (D-PA)
- Carper (D-DE) Coons (D-DE)
- Lautenberg (D-NJ) Menendez (D-NJ)
- Mikulski (D-MD) Cardin (D-MD)
Sept. 2011 - President Obama's Rejection of Stronger Smog Standard Ignores Science, Economics, and Benefits of Clean Air
President Obama's rejection on Friday Sept. 2
nd, 2011 of an EPA proposal that would have reduced smog pollution and helped protect the health of all Americans means the public, rather than polluters, will continue to bear the costs of air pollution-related health care, missed school, and work days.
The Administration's in-action is even more troubling if the existing law from 2008, that was ignored while being re-considered, does not get implemented in the next few months. The delay of those incremental clean air gains are now owed to the American public. Contact President Obama and tell him to stop injecting politics into EPA's clean air work.
Tell the Obama Administration after this near 2 year delay they owe the American public action on clean air! Use our sample Facebook post on the White House Facebook page (http://goo.gl/YbCsA). Note that you have to "Like" the page in order post a message.
Sample Post: Mr. President - as an outdoor recreationist, I'm dismayed that you rejected EPA's proposal of a more protective ozone standard. The EPA advises me to limit outdoor exercise when ozone pollution is too high. Do the next best thing and let EPA implement existing standards to reduce ozone--and protect recreationists like me--without delay.
Those exercising outside are particularly at risk from ozone pollution, because we breathe more air while hiking, biking, or running. AMC promotes getting individuals and families outdoors, yet poor air quality is at odds with these goals. Ozone pollution is particularly troubling in the face of this nation's health crisis. We need the most protective ozone standards to ensure Americas are not stymied from healthy outdoor recreation.
Learn more:
- Economics of Clean Air fact sheet (PDF- Sept 2011)
- Recreation groups call for strong ozone standards (PDF- May 2011)
- AMC and others comment on proposed ozone standards re-consideration (PDF- 2010)
- AMC joins ozone lawsuit over 2008 ozone rule; science is ignored (PDF- 2008)
- Joint comments on 2007 proposed ozone standards (PDF- 2007)
- Hiker health study finds ozone affects even healthy individuals
- Check current air quality at EPA's AIRNOW web site
Ozone: good up high, bad nearby
Yes, the hole in the ozone layer means ozone is something we want more of high up in the atmosphere where it forms naturally. However, ozone can also form when man-made pollution cooks in the summer sun and it is a serious health problem when it is near you and your lungs. Ozone is a gas that causes a sunburn on the lungs, damaging cells and aggravating lung diseases, with more exposure for those breathing deeply while exercising. When levels are high children, those with respiratory disease, and those exercising are warned to reduce outdoor activities. This air pollutant can also damage plants affecting their ability to carry out photosynthesis and can disrupt carbon and water cycling.
