Despite the House GOP majority attempting to quash our clean air, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is serious about our right to breathe. Today, the agency released a report that champions the Clean Air Act as a lifesaver, health protector – and economic bolster. The report analyzed effects of the Clean Air Act on the economy, public health and the environment between 1990 and 2020.

The analysis finds that the benefits of the Clean Air Act will reach an estimated $2 trillion in 2020. In that year alone, 230,000 lives will be saved. The analysis concludes that the direct benefits of this important law significantly exceed costs to industry from installing air pollution controls.

EPA administrator Lisa Jackson said:
 

The Clean Air Act’s decades-long track record of success has helped millions of Americans live healthier, safer and more productive lives. This report outlines the extraordinary health and economic benefits of one of our nation's most transformative environmental laws and demonstrates the power of bipartisan approaches to protecting the health of the American people from pollution in our environment.

 

Take a look at these stats:

In 2010, the Clean Air Act prevented:

• 160,000 adult deaths from particle pollution
• 230 infant deaths from particle pollution 
• 86,000 emergency room visits 

In 2020, the EPA estimates, the law will prevent:

• 230,000 adult deaths from particle pollution
• 280 infant deaths from particle pollution 
• 120,000 emergency room visits.