Yesterday, more than 65 mayors from around the country signed a letter (below) signaling support for President Obama to set the strongest possible clean air protections against smog pollution. The letter supports efforts by President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stay true to the science and issue protections consistent with the recommendations from leading public health organizations, including Moms Clean Air Force.
More than 100,000 parents from across the country — told EPA that we need to protect little lungs from smog pollution. Moms Clean Air Force thanks these mayors for supporting the strongest clean air rules for our families.
September 21, 2015
President Barack Obama 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
As local elected officials representing big cities and small towns, we want to express our strong support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) work to update the ozone (or smog) standard. The current, George W. Bush-era standard of 75 parts per billion (ppb) has been widely acknowledged by the medical community as insufficient to protect public health. As mayors, we are on the front lines of protecting the safety and well-being of our constituents and this long-overdue update will reap tremendous benefits for our communities. To best guard our families and constituents from this dangerous pollutant, we urge EPA to stay true to the science and in setting the standard follow the guidance of expert medical organizations like the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the American Thoracic Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Smog pollution, much of it coming from power plant emissions and vehicle exhaust, represents a particularly widespread threat to families nationwide. According to the American Lung Association’s 2014 State of the Air report, approximately 45% of the population – or 140.5 million people – live in counties that received a grade of “F” for their air pollution. This is especially problematic for sensitive populations such as children, the elderly, those with breathing ailments, outdoor workers, low-income families and communities of color. The Clean Air Act is clear in requiring EPA to set a standard not just protective of healthy individuals, but also protective of these vulnerable populations.
Nearly 26 million Americans, including 7 million children, suffer from asthma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, minority children living in poor socio-economic conditions are at a greater risk. For instance, 16% of African American children had asthma in 2010, compared to 8.2% of White children. Low-income families are more likely to live close to sources of pollution and roadways, have lower access to medical information and health insurance, and die from asthma-related complications.
EPA’s own analysis shows that the strongest option under consideration would save taxpayers as much as $75.9 billion annually when fully implemented through lower health care costs. Each year, this would translate into as many as 7,900 lives saved and 1.8 million asthma attacks and 1.9 million missed school days avoided.
Clean, healthy air and water are fundamental American rights and we are eager to work with your Administration to secure and implement the strongest possible protections from smog pollution.
Respectfully,
Alta, UT – Tom Pollard
Alton, IL – Brant Walker
Ames, IA – Ann Campbell
Ann Arbor, MI – Christopher Taylor
Baltimore, MD – Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake
Bloomington, IN – Mark Kruzan
Borough of West Chester, PA
Bridgeport, CT – Carolyn Comitta
Burlington, VT – Bill Finch
Carmel, IN – Miro Weinberger
Charlotte, NC – James C. Brainard
Chicago, IL – Rahm Emanuel
Clarkston, GA – Ted Terry
College Park, MD – Andrew Fellows
Decatur, GA – Jim Baskett
Elkhart, IN – Dick L. Moore
Evanston, IL – Elizabeth Tisdahl
Fayetteville, AR – Lioneld Jordan
Ferndale, MI – David Coulter
Fridley, MN – Scott Lund
Garden Grove, CA – Bao Nguyen
Glen Carbon, IL – Robert Jackstadt
Grand Rapids, MI – George Heartwell
Greenfield, MA – William F. Martin
Highland Park, IL – Nancy Rotering
Ketchum, ID – Nina Jonas
Kingston Springs, TN – Francis A. Gross
Las Cruces, NM – Ken Miyagishima
Little Rock, AR – Mark Stodola
Long Beach, CA – Robert Garcia
Los Angeles, CA – Eric Garcetti
Malden, MA – Gary Christenson
Malibu, CA – John Sibert
Medford, MA – Michael McGlynn
Melrose, MA – Robert J. Dolan
Minneapolis, MN – Betsy Hodges
Moab, UT – Dave Sakrison
Mosier, OR – Arlene Burns
Mukilteo, WA – Jennifer Gregerson
Muncie, IN – Dennis Tyler
New York City, NY – Bill de Blasio
Newburyport, MA – Donna D. Holaday
Newton, MA – Setti Warren
Norman, OK – Cindy S. Rosenthal
North Chicago, IL – Leon Rockingham
Northampton, MA – David Narkewicz
Oakland, CA – Libby Schaaf
Ogden, UT – Mike Caldwell
Park Forest, IL – John A. Ostenburg
Philadelphia, PA – Michael Nutter
Pittsburgh, PA – William Peduto
Salt Lake City, UT – Ralph Becker
San Francisco, CA – Ed Lee
Santa Fe, NM – Javier M. Gonzales
Santa Monica, CA – Kevin McKeown
Seattle, WA – Ed Murray
Somerset, MD – Jeffrey Z. Slavin
Somerville, MA – Joseph Curtatone
South Bend, IN – Pete Buttigieg
South Miami, FL – Philip K. Stoddard, PhD
St. Louis, MO – Francis G. Slay
St. Petersburg, FL – Rick Kriseman
Sugar Creek, MO – Matt Mallinson
Syracuse, NY – Stephanie A. Miner
Torrance, CA – Patrick J. Furey
University City, MO – Shelley Welsch
Village of Lombard, IL – Keith Giagnorio
Warren, MI – Jim Fouts
West Hollywood, CA – Lindsey P. Horvath
Winthrop, MA – James McKenna