Contact: Sarah McBride, smcbride@momscleanairforce.org
Sara Klein, sara_klein@dkcnews.com, 631-905-6403
Washington, DC—Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan announced the finalization of a suite of new rules that would address pollution from fossil fuel power plants, including updates to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards; carbon pollution standards for new gas and new and existing coal power plants; Clean Water Act effluent limitation guidelines; and the RCRA coal ash disposal standards. The finalized standards will deliver significant public health benefits, and they are being released together to facilitate rational planning and to support reliable and affordable power. In response to the announcement, Moms Clean Air Force Director and Co-Founder Dominique Browning released the following statement:
“For millions of families and communities across the United States, pollution from fossil fuel power plants has lingered in the air for far too long as a threat to vulnerable bodies and psyches. It has meant mercury-contaminated fish that endangers babies’ and childrens’ developing brains. It has meant harrowing trips to the emergency room for asthma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes. It has meant babies born too small and too early because their mothers were exposed to unhealthy air. And it has meant ever-escalating climate disruption, which now threatens both our children’s present and their future. Today, the Biden EPA has finalized a suite of rules that, taken together, signify unprecedented progress in cleaning up pollution from the power sector.
“Moms Clean Air Force has focused on the Carbon Rule, a rule that will slash climate-heating greenhouse gas emission from fossil fuel power plants. The Carbon Rule finalized today will tackle climate pollution and cut tens of thousands of pounds of particle pollution, sulfur dioxide, and smog-forming nitrogen oxide. These harmful air pollutants are hazardous to people’s health, especially in communities that for too long have disproportionately shouldered the burden of high pollution and environmental injustice.
“We applaud the Biden EPA for finalizing robust power plant protections at a moment that couldn’t be more critical for our children’s future. Moms Clean Air Force has been advocating for strong pollution protections from power plants for over a decade, and we will continue to advocate for the protections our children, our communities, and future generations deserve.
Statement from Hazel Chandler, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona Field Organizer
“EPA’s suite of new power plant standards put us squarely on the path to securing a healthy, safe environment for generations to come. As a mom, grandmom, and great-grandmom, there is nothing more meaningful than that. I want to be able to look my three great-grandchildren in the eyes and tell them that we did everything we could to protect their future. With this rule, I’m closer to being able to do that. Thank you, EPA, for finalizing these vital safeguards.”
Statement from Elizabeth Hauptman, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan Field Organizer
“More than 200,000 children in Michigan have asthma, and my son is one of them. It’s a parent’s nightmare to watch their child struggle to breathe, yet it’s one that I live each time bad air quality exacerbates my son’s asthma. That’s why I am so grateful that EPA has finalized strong power plant rules. This suite of new standards will significantly cut dangerous pollution from the power sector, which translates to cleaner air in my community and a lower chance of scary emergency room visits with my son. Thank you, EPA.”
Statement from Jayne Black, Moms Clean Air Force Wisconsin Field Organizer
“Today, Moms in Wisconsin are celebrating EPA’s decision to strengthen power plant pollution standards. Our state experiences some of the country’s highest particle pollution deaths per capita, in part, because of air pollution from fossil-fueled power plants. With more health-protective power plant pollution safeguards in place, I can breathe easier knowing that my family is better protected against the toxic pollution they produce.”