whitehouse on Jan 10, 2012
President Obama thanks the staff of the Environmental Protection Agency for the work they do, which touches on the lives of every American, from the food we eat, to the water we drink, to the air we breathe. January 10, 2012.
Today marks yet another historic day in the Obama Administration’s efforts to protect the health of American families and our environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the first-ever national standards to reduce mercury and other toxic air emissions – like arsenic, acid gas, and cyanide – from power plants, which are the largest sources of this pollution in the United States.
This crucial step forward will bring enormous public health benefits. By substantially reducing emissions of toxic pollutants that lead to neurological damage, cancer, respiratory illnesses, and other serious health issues, these standards will benefit millions of people across the country, but especially children, older Americans, and other vulnerable populations. Cumulatively, the total health and economic benefits to society could reach $90 billion each year.
Last week, I sent you an email quiz that highlights the dangers of mercury pollution. Now we have an opportunity to protect our health and our environment from the mercury pollution that comes from burning coal — but we need your help.
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule that would significantly reduce mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants. Exposure to mercury can cause birth defects, neurological damage and countless other health and environmental problems.
Tell the EPA that you support this rule. Demand cleaner air by submitting a comment here.
The rule also limits the release of sulfur dioxide gases, particulate matter such as soot, and other toxic metals — pollution that has been linked to cancer, heart disease, asthma and bronchitis. In fact, implementing the proposed standards will help prevent 17,000 deaths and 12,000 hospital visits each year.
We’ve allowed coal-fired power plants to spew mercury pollution into our air unchecked for far too long. It’s time to take back our air and our health from the big polluters who poison it every day.
Stand up for your lungs, your health and our shared future. Show your support for the proposed rule with our simple tool and submit a comment to the EPA.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Maggie L. Fox
President and CEO
The Alliance for Climate Protection
I recently delivered your petition signature along with a copy of the latest Harvard study that shows the true cost of coal to both of your Senators.
You and 50,000 other activists signed our petition urging the Senate to defend the EPA’s ability under the Clean Air Act to protect Americans from the true cost of coal. The Senate got your message.
During our delivery, we made sure to prioritize the offices of Senators whose states have been devastated by coal mining such as John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Also, those who take their cues from the polluter companies that paid for their election campaigns such as Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK).
We then dropped off the petition and the Harvard study to Senators like Sherrod Brown (D-OH) who have been on the fence about whether carbon pollution from coal is dangerous enough to restrict now.
Thank you for your support. With these petitions, you and activists across the country made it clear to the Senate that the 34,000 Americans who die each year from coal and the extra half a trillion dollars it costs our economy is a price too high.
The fight for clean energy continues. In Washington, coal industry lobbyists are pressuring lawmakers to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its power to regulate the dirty emissions of coal fired power plants. Our campaign is just getting started and we are going to need you every step of the way. Thanks for taking action and I look forward to working with you in the future.
Thank you,
Kyle Ash
Greenpeace Senior Legislative Representative
The Environmental Protection Agency is under attack. As early as today, the House is scheduled to vote on a bill that would strip the EPA of its life-saving ability to regulate the greenhouse gases that are cooking our planet.
Sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton, this bill is a free pass for polluters and would allow them to fill our skies with limitless carbon emissions. Upton’s bill poses a serious danger to public health and to our economy. Yet, amazingly this legislation is almost certain to pass in the House.
We need to act now before this bill hits the floor tomorrow. Join us today and let Congress know we stand united against this radical legislation.
URGENT: tell your member of Congress to reject Rep. Upton’s bill and VOTE NO on HR 910! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=BpGLHXyxRgWd6V4loTjGQaVCDO5Dx%2BX0
The EPA’s stance on greenhouse gases is critical to improving our economy, safeguarding national security and maintaining public health. Undercutting the EPA’s regulatory power is not the way forward. Our future lies in a new green economy, powered by clean energy innovation.
Please contact your member of Congress today to oppose any efforts to restrict the EPA’s ability to regulate pollution, protect the health of the American people and build a new green economy. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=3H4q9tUxVISnQ1QV%2F%2FuD%2FaVCDO5Dx%2BX0
Thank you for taking action,
Kathleen Rogers
President, Earth Day Network
P.S. There are only two weeks until Earth Day! We hope you can take part – visit www.EarthDay.org/events.
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