The Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act defines the Environment Protection Agency’s responsibilities for protecting and improving our nation’s air quality and the ozone layer. It has been the law of the land for over 40 years, with a proven track record of success in cost-effectively cutting dangerous pollution to protect our health and environment and spurring American innovation. Government studies show that the health benefits of the Clean Air Act exceed its costs by a 40-to-1 ratio. For more information, go to Climate Action Network: http://www.usclimatenetwork.org/policy/the-clean-air-act
“Interfaith Power and Light applauds the EPA’s landmark action to limit industrial carbon pollution from new power plants. This is an important step toward safeguarding the health of our communities, our climate, and our children’s future.” –The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, President and Founder of Interfaith Power and Light
There are currently no national limits on the industrial carbon pollution coming from sources like power plants. The EPA is working to safeguard our health by reducing this carbon pollution and lessening the impact of climate change.
The EPA’s new standards to put limits on industrial carbon pollution from new power plants show us that the 40-year old Clean Air Act is still an invaluable tool to carry out our call to be stewards of God’s Creation and to serve the least among us.
On June 14, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a draft rule to strengthen the nation’s air quality standards for fine particle pollution (commonly known as ‘soot’) to improve public health and the environment.