The York County-based Evangelical Environmental Network released this statement by Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman on EPA’s proposed mercury and air toxics standards for coal-fired power plants--

At the Evangelical Environment Network, we believe no child should have their God-given potential cut short.

That’s why we applaud the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Administrator Regan for their proposal strengthening safeguards against hazardous air pollutants under the life-saving Mercury and Air Toxics Standard.

Mercury–a dangerous neurotoxin–and other toxic air pollution threaten the health of everyone, but pregnant women, their babies, and those who live closest to toxic power plants are especially at risk.

Before the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard became law, approximately 1 in 6 children in the United States were born with life-threatening levels of mercury. 

Mercury poisoning causes permanent brain damage to babies both born and unborn, leading to developmental delays, learning disabilities, and birth defects.

Other toxic air pollutants such as arsenic, chromium, cobalt, nickel, hydrogen chloride, beryllium, and cadmium are additionally linked to cancer, kidney damage, and harm to our eyes, skin, lungs, and central nervous system.

Coal-fired and gas-fired power plants are the largest sources of mercury and air toxics pollution in the United States.

For over a decade, EEN has been a leading voice advocating for strong mercury and air toxics safeguards to defend our children’s lives and health, with over 145,000 pro-life Christians and 150 evangelical leaders standing with EEN to defeat an attempted rollback of the MATS rule.

The MATS rule has been a proven success in slashing toxic air pollution, but medical research shows that no level of mercury is safe.

Mercury fish consumption advisories remain in place in all 50 states, and at least 200,000 children remain neurologically impacted from mercury exposure, costing $4.8 billion per year.

The proposed stronger MATS safeguards are therefore a step in the right direction toward ensuring a pollution-free world for all God’s children and are estimated to yield $170 million to $220 million in health benefits and $170 million in climate benefits every year.

We look forward to working with Administer Regan to ensure the strongest safeguards possible. Our children’s lives and future depend on it.

Visit the Evangelical Environmental Network website for more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how to get involved.

Resource Links:

-- EPA Proposes To Strengthen Mercury And Air Toxics Standards For Coal-Fired Power Plants

-- EPA Proposes To Strengthen Standards For Chemical, Polymer Plants To Reduce Cancer Risks From Air Toxics

NewsClips:

-- AP: EPA Tightens Mercury Emissions Limits At Coal Power Plants

-- Reuters: U.S. Proposes Tighter Mercury, Air Toxics Standards For Coal-Fired Power Plants

-- Moms Clean Air Force: Strong Petrochemical Rules Are One Step Closer To Reality With EPA Proposal, But More Safeguards Are Needed To Protect People Living Near Facilities In PA

-- WTAE: U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke (Coal) Works Tops Allegheny County Polluters List

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: PennEnvironment Names Top 10 Industrial Pollution Sources In Allegheny County

Related Articles This Week:

-- Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant To Close In Indiana County; Low Price Of Natural Gas, High Price Of Coal, Regulatory Burdens, RGGI Cited As Causes; Solar Projects Waiting To Fill Gap  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Title V Air Quality Permit For Monessen Coke (Coal) Plant, Westmoreland County  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 6, 2023]

4/10/2023