By: Luz Drada, Program Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: July 10, 2025
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0794-6978
To: Environmental Protection Agency
My name is Luz Drada. I work with Moms Clean Air Force. And I live in Ashburn, Virginia, with my husband and our eight-year-old son.
We are located along the banks of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. As a resident of this region, I am no stranger to the public health threats posed by heavy industry—especially from coal-fired power plants in my neighboring state, West Virginia.
Just 35 miles away, one of our favorite family destinations is Harpers Ferry, a historic and beautiful town located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. It’s a place where nature, history, and community come together—and sadly affected by mercury pollution.
The Shenandoah River, which flows into the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, has been contaminated with mercury from a former DuPont factory in Waynesboro, Virginia, for many decades. Although the facility is no longer operating, mercury contamination from its past activities remains in the environment. This pollution has led to fish consumption concerns that directly affect families like mine who rely on and enjoy local waterways.
Mercury, a powerful neurotoxin released by coal-burning plants, pollutes both our air and water. It settles into rivers and lakes, accumulates in fish, and ultimately ends up on our dinner tables. For families like mine who live near and cherish the Shenandoah, Potomac, and Chesapeake Bay, fish and seafood are an important part of our diet.
As a mother to a child who was born prematurely, I am especially vigilant about my son’s health. Knowing what I know about the dangers of mercury exposure makes me deeply concerned—not just for my own child, but for every child and every family in our community and across the country. I’m particularly concerned for families living near lignite coal plants that had long evaded adequate mercury pollution protections until the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards were strengthened last year—protections that are now directly under threat.
Let me be absolutely clear: there is no safe level of mercury exposure. Mercury can cause permanent damage to developing brains, putting babies and kids at a higher risk leading to developmental delays, learning disabilities. It is also linked to cardiovascular problems, including an increased risk of heart attacks.
Pollution from coal-fired power plants, particularly lignite coal plants, continues to degrade air and water quality and poses an unacceptable threat to public health. That’s why I strongly oppose EPA’s proposal to weaken the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS).
Since MATS was implemented in 2012, mercury emissions have dropped by 86%, acid gas emissions by 96%, and other hazardous air pollutants by 81%. These are significant public health achievements—and it is critical that we continue to build on this progress by maintaining the recent updates to MATS.
Moms Clean Air Force has been advocating for strong mercury protections for over a decade. We strongly support the recently strengthened MATS rule and oppose EPA’s proposal to weaken these updated protections. Families have a right to clean air, safe water, and a healthy future. We deserve to know what’s in our environment—and we deserve protection from harmful pollution. Our children’s health and future depend on it.
Attacking MATS doesn’t make sense for public health, and it doesn’t make sense for our economy.
Thank you for your time and attention.