By: Ida Sami, Arizona State Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: June 14, 2023
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0072
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Ida Sami, a dedicated environmental scientist, and as a field coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force, I live and breathe the mission of preserving our planet for the generations to come. Today, I'd like to share my thoughts on the Greenhouse Gas Standards and Guidelines for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants set by EPA.
A couple of years back, I had the opportunity to visit a small town named Ashville. Nestled between the hills and the sparkling river, this town was picturesque. But this idyllic town had a silent foe: a fossil fuel power plant situated just a few miles away. Despite the smiles on the residents' faces, the air they breathed told a different story. The children had been coughing more than usual, the beautiful hills were draped in an almost invisible layer of smog, and the river that once sparkled was now a murky stream. It was heart-wrenching to see.
At the town's local school, I met a young girl named Lily. She was no more than nine, yet she had the courage and determination of a soldier, fighting her own battle against asthma, a condition exacerbated by the poor air quality. Lily's innocent face became the embodiment of my fight against air pollution.
The Greenhouse Gas Standards and Guidelines provided by EPA are not just policies to me—they are a beacon of hope for towns like Ashville, for children like Lily. These guidelines are designed to limit carbon pollution from power plants, to protect our air, our water, and our health. They put us on a path towards cleaner, healthier air and a more sustainable planet.
Yet, these guidelines are not a cure-all solution. We need to ensure their rigorous implementation and also advocate for the transition towards renewable energy. The urgency of climate change requires us to act promptly and decisively.
Every time I read these guidelines, I picture Lily's face, her sparkling eyes full of hope and dreams. And I think of all the other Lilys out there, their health and futures intertwined with the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the environment in which they live. I remember why I fight: for them, for their future, and for the health of our planet.
We must lend our voices to this cause, advocating for strict adherence to these guidelines and encouraging sustainable energy practices. As a field coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force, a scientist, I implore each one of you to join me in this battle. Let's fight for Lily. Let's fight for our children. Let's fight for our Earth.