In late March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new standards that would reduce harmful emissions from new power plants. Power plants are the single largest sources of carbon dioxide pollution in our country, and the new rule seeks to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants.
Currently the EPA is accepting public input on the proposal until June 25th. This is your opportunity to weigh in on critical new protections for public health and the health of God's creation! Strong standards for new power plants will help to save lives and help our country transition to a cleaner energy economy. Write to the EPA now!
Power plants that use fossil fuels, particularly coal, emit more than two billion tons of carbon pollution and other toxic pollutants into our air each year. In 2009 the EPA made a scientific determination, under the federal Clean Air Act, that carbon pollution and other greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health by increasing the number of unhealthy air days. Unhealthy air results in more respiratory ailments, heart attacks, heat-related deaths, asthma attacks, and other harm to the public's health. These health problems disproportionately impact vulnerable communities including communities of color, low-income communities, children and the elderly.
The carbon dioxide pollution from power plants contributes greatly to climate change. There are currently no limits on the amount of greenhouse gases power plants can emit. The proposed rule sets a strong standard that will modernize our nation's power plants while reducing pollution and limiting our contribution to global climate change.
By setting a strong standard for greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants, the proposed rule lays the framework for future reductions in US carbon emissions.