EARTH ACTIVIST

DON'T LET BIG POLLUTERS TRASH OUR LUNGS!

A reckless rule proposed by the EPA could leave us exposed to toxic air pollution that can cause respiratory illness, birth defects, cancer and other serious health problems.

Tell the EPA to abandon this dangerous rule today!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a reckless rule that would allow untold numbers of industrial facilities nationwide to burn scrap plastics, used chemicals, and other highly-polluting solid wastes without any meaningful monitoring or pollution controls. If finalized, the rule would leave many Americans exposed to toxic air pollution that can cause respiratory illness, birth defects, cancer and other serious health problems.

E-mail (Jackson.lisa@epa.gov) or call Lisa Jackson at 202-564-4700.

Most people recognize that burning household waste is a bad idea, as the toxic fumes generated are hazardous to their families and neighbors. Polluting industries aren't as courteous. They have pressured the EPA for decades to allow burning of industrial wastes without requirements to control, monitor, or report pollution.

The EPA's proposal largely grants industry's wish. Nationwide, more than 180,000 facilities—including 1,700 chemical plants—could burn solid waste in uncontrolled on-site incinerators to generate heat or electricity as a result of the EPA's action.
But shockingly, the EPA made no effort to determine which of these facilities might be burning waste. As a result, communities would be unable even to find out if uncontrolled waste burning is occurring in their neighborhoods and threatening the health of their families and friends.

This whole mess is based on the dangerous premise that burning waste to recover energy is a form of "recycling." But there is nothing environmentally friendly about this proposal. Uncontrolled toxic air pollution and the health effects that can result are a serious problem. It is EPA's job to protect us from these hazards, and not to allow them to happen. Please take action now!

Source of Information: Earthjustice

SENATE REJECTS MURKOWSKI "DIRTY AIR ACT"

Thanks to your help, the Senate voted 53-47 to reject the bill offered by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) that would have stripped the EPA of its authority to regulate carbon pollution and let big polluters off the hook. This vote has been so important and shows that the majority of the Senate understands the need to act to address America's dependence on global warming pollution.

Now it's time to get Congress moving on a cleaner energy future for America . . . one without a future of oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico.