FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10th, 2017
Contact: Athena Motavvef, 202-548-4585, athena@weact.org
Washington, DC — Yesterday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the repeal of the Clean Power Plan, which places federal restrictions on carbon pollution emissions for existing power plants. Coal, oil, and gas-fired plants are the largest source of pollution, making up 40% of carbon pollution in the United States. The enactment of the Clean Power Plan is one of the most significant actions our country has taken to address climate change. The rule received the greatest amount of comments in EPA history, demonstrating that U.S. citizens are broadly in support of climate action.
Air pollution from power plants unequally affects low income communities and communities of color nationwide. A 2011 report found that 68% of African Americans and 40% of Latinos live within 30 miles of a coal-fired plant. By 2030, The Clean Power Plan was expected to annually prevent 90,000 asthma attacks, 300,000 work and school absences, and 3,600 premature deaths (Note: Data on the Clean Power Plan was removed from the EPA website under Trump Administration in 2017).
In response, WE ACT’s Director of Federal Policy, Dr. Adrienne Hollis issued the following statement:
“This administration’s treacherous rollback of environmental regulations continues with the repeal of the Clean Power Plan. The decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan is a direct attack on our health. In the face of this atrocity, our most vulnerable communities will suffer increased adverse health effects from power plant pollution.
Communities can expect worsening air quality, extreme heat conditions, increased cases of asthma, and pollution-related deaths. At a time when we should be transitioning to cleaner energy and engaging in activities to protect the public, this Administration has made the decision to set us backwards in order to fill the pockets of polluters. With the recent hurricanes and wildfire events in our country, we should be taking steps to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has the responsibility of protecting our communities from pollution. However, the EPA Administrator has made it abundantly clear that he does not value human lives, he values industry profit. WE ACT for Environmental Justice will continue to take action at the federal, state and local level to ensure the health and safety of vulnerable communities.”
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WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan membership-based organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT has offices in Harlem, NYC and Washington, DC. Visit us at www.weact.org and follow us on Twitter @weact4ej.