Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed new standards to reduce carbon pollution from coal and natural gas-fired power plants.
“The bold carbon pollution standards proposed today by the EPA are a significant step in our efforts to reduce harmful and dangerous emissions, improve air quality for communities across America, and slow the effects of climate change that we are seeing all around us. People deserve to breath clean air, and these standards have the potential to prevent thousands of asthma attacks and premature deaths, all while strengthening our economic and environmental security. I commend the Biden Administration for their continued commitment to public health and the fight against climate change, and look forward to working with the EPA to ensure the voices of impacted communities are heard during the public comment period as they finalize the strongest rule possible.
The proposal for coal and new natural gas power plants would avoid up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide (CO2) through 2042, which is equivalent to reducing the annual emissions of 137 million passenger vehicles, roughly half the cars in the United States. Through 2042, EPA estimates the net climate and health benefits of the standards on new gas and existing coal-fired power plants are up to $85 billion.
The proposals would also result in cutting tens of thousands of tons of particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide, harmful air pollutants that are known to endanger people’s health, especially in communities that for too long have disproportionally shouldered the burden of high pollution and environmental injustice. In 2030 alone, the proposed standards would prevent:
approximately 1,300 premature deaths;
more than 800 hospital and emergency room visits;
more than 300,000 cases of asthma attacks;
38,000 school absence days;
66,000 lost workdays.
Learn more about the EPA’s proposed standards here.
