Earthjustice Calls Out Trump Administration On Attempt to Delay Clean Air for National Parks
EPA seeks to stall commonsense air pollution standards on Texas power plant emissions
Contacts
David Baron, Earthjustice, (202) 667-4500, ext. 5203
Today, Earthjustice said it would fight a Trump Administration attempt to stall adoption of standards to clean up air pollution in national parks and wilderness areas caused by power plants in Texas. The standards as proposed are projected to not only curb haze in parks, but also save almost 700 lives a year across 14 states. A court ordered consent decree secured by Earthjustice requires EPA to adopt final standards by September 9, 2017, but today the agency asked the court to delay that deadline until the end of 2018.
Earthjustice will strongly oppose the request on behalf of its clients in the case, including National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, and Environmental Defense Fund.
“People should not have to breathe dirty air and see filthy skies when they go to a national park,” said Earthjustice attorney David Baron. “We will strongly oppose any more delay in protecting these majestic places from power plant pollution. EPA has had more than enough time to finalize the proposal.”
Air pollution from power plants contributes to heart and asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, and premature deaths. If finalized, the EPA’s proposed standards for Texas power plants are projected to save hundreds of lives, prevent hundreds of hospital and emergency room visits, prevent tens of thousands of asthma attacks, and avoid more than 100,000 lost days of work.
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Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.