By: Jennifer Cantley, Nevada State Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: May 9, 2023
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0794
To: Environmental Protection Agency
My name is Jennifer Cantley, and I am here today to share my story and urge you to finalize the strongest possible protections against mercury and other forms of air pollution coming from coal-fired power plants. I am a mother of three asthmatic children, and I have COPD after contracting COVID-19 last year. I work in rural communities, and I have seen firsthand the impact that coal-fired power plants have on the health of our communities, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
Nevada is home to several coal-fired power plants, including the Reid Gardner Generating Station and the North Valmy Generating Station. These plants are significant sources of mercury pollution in the state, and Nevada is ranked as one of the top ten states for mercury pollution from power plants. This is unacceptable, and we must take action to protect the health and well-being of our residents.
The updated Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule will help to reduce the amount of mercury and other hazardous pollutants emitted by these plants. By implementing the most effective and widely available pollution control technologies, power plants in Nevada will be able to significantly reduce their emissions of mercury and other toxic pollutants, leading to cleaner air and a healthier environment for all.
As a Field consultant for Moms Clean Air Force in Nevada, I strongly support the EPA's proposed new protections against mercury and other forms of air pollution coming from coal-fired power plants. These standards are critical for protecting children's developing brains from mercury and other toxic heavy metals, and they will help hold coal plants accountable for their pollution.
I urge the EPA to finalize the strongest possible safeguards to protect the health of children and families in Nevada and across the country by the end of the year. Our communities deserve clean air, and our children deserve a healthy future. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.