By: Sarah McBride, Communications Specialist, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: January 8, 2025
About: NOx New Source Performance Standards, Docket # EPA-HQ-OAR-2024-0419
To: EPA
Thank you so much for this opportunity to testify. My name is Sarah McBride and I am the Communications Specialist for Moms Clean Air Force. I live in St. Petersburg, Florida and I am testifying today to ask that EPA strengthen the NOx protections in the final version the proposed NOx rule. We know that new gas-fired power plants can achieve greater pollution reductions with the same technologies proposed in the rule and our families deserve to breathe the cleanest air possible.
NOx are dangerous pollutants that harm our lungs by causing inflammation to our airways, reducing lung function, and triggering asthma attacks. Research even suggests that exposure to NOx pollution over time can cause asthma in children. To make matters worse, NOx are precursors to soot and smog, both of which are dangerous in their own rights.
Here in Florida, we have some of the highest levels of NOx pollution from gas-fired power plants in the country and, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, most new natural gas plants are being built in the Gulf Coast, Appalachia, and here in my home state. I worry for the 213,000+ children in Florida with asthma, many of whom are exposed to this pollution day in and day out.
Growing up here in St. Pete, I was one of those kids. I developed asthma when I was around eight years old and was given a steroid inhaler to help manage the symptoms. As a result of using that inhaler, I ended up experiencing a rare and scary side effect that took years to fully recover from. Later, my family moved to a less populated area of Massachusetts, which had fewer pollution sources than where I grew up in Florida, and my asthma symptoms largely disappeared. I don’t think that was a coincidence.
We have the technology to clean up this dangerous pollution that is putting the health of our families at risk. It's critical that we use it.
EPA’s proposed rulemaking is a great start, but I’m here to ask that you don’t stop there. We know that today’s gas-fired turbines can produce power at emissions rates 87% lower than EPA’s 2006 standards. So I’m urging EPA to please protect Florida’s kids and strengthen NOx protections in the final version of this rule. Thank you for your time today.