Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new limits for interstate air pollution from power plants in the Eastern United States. The limits are intended to promote cleaner air for people to breathe by curbing air pollution that moves across state boundaries.

The following statement is from Earthjustice managing attorney David Baron:

"Smog is a major health risk, especially on a day like today, when temperatures all along the East Coast are soaring toward the triple digits. Curbing interstate pollution from power plants will help reduce the number Code Orange and Code Red days when children and the elderly are warned to stay inside.

"EPA is right to move toward curbing dangerous power plant pollution that travels across state lines. It is absolutely crucial that the EPA adopt the strongest possible limits to protect people’s lungs. We’re going to examine this proposal closely to make sure that it provides the clean air safeguards people need.

"In many states, much of the air pollution people are forced to breathe comes from other states. Solving the air quality problems facing the Eastern U.S. will require strong regional limits on power plant pollution combined with strong local pollution controls.

"This proposal is part of the equation, so it is crucial that the EPA get the rule right ― the stakes are human lives. It is also crucial that the EPA does not stop after this and follows up with strong limits on emissions of mercury and other toxics from all power plants, and a strong commitment to enforcing the local air quality requirements of the Clean Air Act."