U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has started the process to repeal the Clean Power Plan.
I am writing to express my strong opposition to rolling back the Clean Power Plan which would reduce carbon pollution and other toxic pollutants emitted by coal-fired power plants. As a nurse, I am concerned about how pollution from coal-fired power plants affects the health of young children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular disease.
Children face disproportionate exposure to environmental pollution that negatively affects their health; they breathe faster than adults, and spend more time outside, and have lungs that are still developing. Limiting carbon pollution is health-protective, and if the Clean Power Plan is implemented, it is projected to prevent 90,000 asthma attacks in children and 3,600 premature U.S. deaths.
Close to 90 percent of deaths resulting from power plant emissions will be prevented, and the nation's students and workers will see 300,000 fewer missed school and work days.
EPA needs to strengthen safeguards that ensure clean air for everyone, not weaken or delay them. The EPA's mission is to "protect human health and the environment." Harmful air pollution and toxic chemicals put our children at risk, and it doesn't have to be this way if we enact the Clean Power Plan.
Joan Flaherty, RN, MSN
Rehoboth Beach
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