Proposal to Roll Back Carbon Pollution Standards is a Big Step Backwards for Public Health

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposal to roll back standards that reduce carbon emissions from power plants.  In response, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“Emissions from power plants are driving climate change and making air quality worse, putting millions of lives at risk. Communities nationwide are already experiencing the health toll of the changing climate. More frequent and intense extreme heat events, storms, floods, and wildfires, and longer allergy seasons, are resulting in more asthma attacks, respiratory symptoms, and more emergency room visits. 

“These standards also reduce other harmful air pollutants as the same time as they reduce carbon emissions. They are a vital tool in reducing the impact that dirty energy sources have on people’s health.

“As the health of people around the country is being harmed, it is unconscionable that our leaders would deliberately work to undo steps already in place to help prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Repealing these standards would ignore the overwhelming scientific evidence and the strong public support for protecting health. 

“Undoing these standards would leave the nation less prepared, and the air less safe. Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable. We cannot afford to strip away tools designed to protect them. 

“We call on EPA to reconsider this deeply harmful proposal. We must move forward, not backward, on air and health protections. The health of our families, our neighborhoods, and future generations depends on it.”