By: Jennifer Cantley, Nevada State Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: June 13, 2023
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0072
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Good afternoon. My name is Jennifer Cantley, and I’m a Nevada field organizer with Moms Clean Air Force. I am here, not just as Jennifer Cantley, a resident of Carson City, Nevada, but as a mother to three beautiful boys, all of whom struggle with asthma. I myself am no stranger to this battle, as I suffer from allergic asthma and COPD, further complicated by Long Hauler Post-Covid Syndrome.
But why am I sharing our story? It’s because our experience is not unique. There are countless families, just like ours, who are impacted daily by the quality of the air we breathe. Asthma, COPD, allergic reactions—these aren't just health issues; they are wakeup calls signaling the dire need for environmental protections.
Nearly one-quarter of the US's climate pollution is generated by fossil fuel power plants. This pollution doesn't just contribute to global warming. It directly impacts our health, my family's health, and the well-being of communities across the country. We are experiencing this firsthand, and that is why I'm a staunch supporter of this proposed Carbon Rule.
These power plants, generating stations as they are called, are industrial facilities designed to produce electric power. Most use fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, emitting vast amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants.
The proposed Carbon Rule, under consideration by EPA, aims to restrict carbon pollution from these power plants, which is the primary cause of the increasing carbon dioxide concentrations in our atmosphere. Climate change is not just about warmer summers or colder winters. It threatens our health, leading to severe heat waves, exacerbating air pollution, flooding, wildfires, and extreme climate events.
The proposed Carbon Rule will also aid in reducing other health-harming air pollutants emitted from power plants, such as particle pollution, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. These pollutants are known to exacerbate conditions like asthma, they can cause heart attacks, and they can even cause premature death. As of 2022, about 60% of US electricity came from such fossil fuel power plants.
Today, we are gathered here, to make sure that our voices are heard by EPA. The purpose of this public hearing is to provide public input on EPA's proposal to regulate emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants. It's our chance to protect our planet, our homes, and our families.
The new protections proposed by EPA on May 11, 2023, present a way forward. These standards will hold power plants accountable for their climate pollution, with multiple pathways to reduce their carbon pollution. They could help avoid up to 617 million metric tons of total CO2 through 2042, which is equivalent to taking half the cars in the US off the roads.
In addition, these standards can protect public health by cutting tens of thousands of tons of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. They are also expected to bring substantial benefits to our economy, with net climate and health benefits estimated at up to $85 billion through 2042.
I urge EPA to finalize the strongest possible standards and to strengthen community input and safeguards in the final version of this rule. Let's work together to ensure a healthier, safer, and cleaner world for us and our children. After all, it’s the only home we have. Thank you.