TO: UCS Energy and Transportation Activists
FROM: Michelle Robinson, Union of Concerned Scientists
Transportation Program
RE: National Air Quality Standards UPDATE
ACTION: EPA is currently taking comment on new, tighter standards for ozone (smog) and fine particle air pollution (soot). Now is the time to voice public support for standards that best protect public health and air quality. Citizens need to weigh in to counteract the enormous political pressure against tighter standards coming from Capitol Hill, many Governors, and a well-financed industry coalition led by the National Association of Manufacturers. Due to industry pressure the comment period has been extended, however, the industry's effort to delay momentum for a full two months was not succesful--the comment period has been extended only for 21 days. The new deadline for comments is March 12th. Please contact EPA and tell them why clean air is important to you and that you support tighter standards for smog and fine particles. See below for background information and ways to contact EPA.
BACKGROUND:
On November 27th, EPA announced new, tighter standards for ozone and fine particle air pollution. Revision of the standards is one of the most important public health decisions EPA will make this decade. Both ozone and particulates result from burning fossil fuels in our cars and power plants. EPA is taking comment on the proposed 80 parts per billion standard for ozone and 2.5 micron standard for particulates.
The proposed new particulate standard has resulted from scientific evidence that particulate matter (airborne microscopic particles that enter our lungs) is a serious health hazard, particularly to those most vulnerable: the elderly, children, and individuals suffering from respiratory ailments. Particulate pollution is blamed for at least 40,000 premature deaths and 250,000 cases of serious respiratory problems each year in the U.S.
Scientists and public health officials have also documented the serious health impacts that result from increased ozone exposure permitted by the current standards. Ozone, the main component of smog, is a powerful lung irritant; it causes breathing problems, reduces lung function, aggravates asthma, and increases the severity and incidence of respiratory infections.
In addition to impacting public health, ground level ozone also is a climate change gas contributing to global warming.
Technologies are available today to reduce air pollution at a reasonable cost. Clean, renewable energy generation and clean vehicles and fuels can substantially reduce harmful emissions of ozone and fine particles and give states a powerful tool to help meet the proposed standards.
Not surprisingly, business and industry are pulling out all the stops to fight stricter standards, claiming that the costs outweigh the benefits. At least $1.5 million has been spent to date by the Business Coalition whose members include the American Petroleum Institute, Dupont, General Electric, and the American Automobile Manufacturers Association. The Coalition has organized opposition to the revised standards, sending letters to the President, lobbying the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Transportation, generating letters from 15 Governors, and orchestrating a major press campaign. Most recently, industry pushed hard and convinced EPA to seek a 60 day extension of the comment period. The federal judge hearing the request for an extension allowed only for 21 additional days for comment. The new deadline for comments is March 12th with a final rule from EPA expected on July 19th. Industry will maximize its use of this extension -- the public concerned about clean air should too.
WAYS TO CONTACT EPA:
To submit written comments of any length send to:
Carol Browner,
Administrator
US EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20460
Attention EPA Dockets A-95-54, A-95-58, A-96-51, A-95-38
To comment by phone:
Call EPA's toll-free number -- 1-888-835-5372. The number will receive
public comments 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Callers should listen
to the instructions and leave a message (up to two minutes) that will be
transcribed and included in the official docket.
To submit an e-mail comment use one of the following addresses:
1. General comments: general.comments@epamail.epa.gov
2. Ozone national ambient air quality standards only:
o3naaqs.comments@epamail.epa.gov
3. Particulate matter standards only: pmnaaqs.comments@epamail.epa.gov
We suggest sending comments to the general mailbox unless you have
specific comments on the ozone or particulate standard.
MESSAGE: Express your support for stricter standards for particulates and ozone. Urge Administrator Browner to resist pressure from industry and Congress and stand by EPA's proposed standards. The standards are based on overwhelming scientific evidence and should afford maximum protection of the public's health and air quality.
For updates from UCS visit our web page at http://www.ucsusa.org. For EPA fact sheets and text of the proposed standards visit http://134.67.104.12/naaqspro/index.htm If you do send a letter or an e-mail message, please send us a "blind copy" (a blind copy means sending a copy to us separately and not listing UCS as a cc: on your letter or message). Send to Michelle Robinson at UCS - 2 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02238 or mrobinson@ucsusa.org so we will have a record of how many messages were sent. Many thanks.