On Friday, 9/20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed limits on carbon pollution from new power plants. These standards are an important step forward for public health and set the stage for the next generation of America’s power plants to be the least toxic and most modern in the world.
The science clearly shows that carbon pollution contributes to rising temperatures that will increase the risk of elevated ozone pollution, or smog. More smog means more asthma attacks – particularly for children – and more complications for those with other lung diseases, like COPD. More than 700,000 Virginians have been diagnosed with asthma, and more than 380,000 have COPD.
Ozone pollution can also cause long-term health complications. For example, it can damage children’s lung development, and that often leads to a lifetime of respiratory problems.
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EPA’s proposal would limit new coal-fired power plants to 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per megawatt-hour, new large gas-fired plants to 1,000 pounds per megawatt-hour, and new small gas-fired plants to 1,100 pounds per megawatt-hour. EPA initially proposed carbon pollution limits on new power plants in 2012, but despite widespread public support, opted to revise and re-propose the standards.
EPA is taking comments on its proposal, and we urge you to show your support here: bit.ly/1aR3QjF