The Clean Air Cheat Sheet

In March 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] introduced a new ruling called MERCURY AND AIR TOXICS STANDARDS. Twenty-one years in the making, this is the first-ever national policy created to reduce mercury emissions from the electricity sector. EPA urgently needs support for these new standards. They will be finalized on December 16, 2011.

Coal-fired plants are the primary source of toxic mercury air emissions in the United States. This stuff is nasty. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can harm fetuses and the developing brains of young children. Almost ¾ of mercury air emissions come from coal-fired power plants; over 400,000 newborns are affected by mercury pollution every year.

American coal plants produce 386,000 tons of hazardous air pollutants every year. These poisons affect every part of the human body, leading to disease, birth defects, brain damage, premature death and cancers. Fetuses, babies, and young children are especially vulnerable.

Among other toxins: arsenic, chromium and nickel cause cancer; lead damages the nervous system; acid gases irritate the nose and throat; dioxins affect the reproductive endocrine and immune systems; volatile organic compounds weaken lungs and eyes.

Opponents want to water down these and other clean air standards. Several standards to reduce mercury emissions from other sources have already been attacked in the House. Also, there is now an effort underway by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and by Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) to cripple EPA’s authority to control other power plant pollution.

The Clean Air Act is literally a lifesaver. It was signed into law by Richard Nixon in 1970. It is one of the most successful environmental laws anywhere in the world. Here is a link to the Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act: http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/peg/

Congress amended the Clean Air Act in 1990 to control industrial emissions of hazardous air pollutants, but coal-fired plants were exempt until 2000. During the twenty-one years in which the rulings have been in development, American engineers have invented cost-effective technologies to filter emissions. Many American plants have already come into compliance–and it has not cost jobs, or harmed their business. These responsible coal plant executives understand that they must not keep poisoning our air and water.

The Clean Air Act has prevented hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, millions of asthma attacks, tens of millions of child respiratory illnesses. These health benefits were good for the American economy.

Our environmental technologies industry has exploded and currently generates nearly $300 billion per year in revenue, produces $40 billion in exports, and employs 1.6 million Americans.

The Clean Air Act has delivered $30 in measurable health and economic benefits for every $1 invested.