EPA Strengthens Smog Standard

EPA Strengthens Smog Standard


Proposed standards, strictest to date, will protect the health of all Americans, especially children

WASHINGTON – The United States Environmental Protection Agency today proposed the strictest health standards to date for smog. Smog, also known as ground-level ozone, is linked to a number of serious health problems, ranging from aggravation of asthma to increased risk of premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Ozone can even harm healthy people who work and play outdoors. The agency is proposing to replace the standards set by the previous administration, which many believe were not protective enough of human health.

“EPA is stepping up to protect Americans from one of the most persistent and widespread pollutants we face. Smog in the air we breathe poses a very serious health threat, especially to children and individuals suffering from asthma and lung disease. It dirties our air, clouds our cities, and drives up our health care costs across the country,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Using the best science to strengthen these standards is a long overdue action that will help millions of Americans breathe easier and live healthier.”

The agency is proposing to set the “primary” standard, which protects public health, at a level between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million (ppm) measured over eight hours. Children are at the greatest risk from ozone, because their lungs are still developing, they are most likely to be active outdoors, and they are more likely than adults to have asthma. Adults with asthma or other lung diseases, and older adults are also sensitive to ozone.

EPA is also proposing to set a separate “secondary” standard to protect the environment, especially plants and trees. This seasonal standard is designed to protect plants and trees from damage occurring from repeated ozone exposure, which can reduce tree growth, damage leaves, and increase susceptibility to disease.

In September 2009 Administrator Jackson announced that EPA would reconsider the existing ozone standards, set at 0.075 ppm in March 2008. As part of its reconsideration, EPA conducted a review of the science that guided the 2008 decision, including more than 1,700 scientific studies and public comments from the 2008 rulemaking process. EPA also reviewed the findings of the independent Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, which recommended standards in the ranges proposed today.

Depending on the level of the final standard, the proposal would yield health benefits between $13 billion and $100 billion. This proposal would help reduce premature deaths, aggravated asthma, bronchitis cases, hospital and emergency room visits and days when people miss work or school because of ozone-related symptoms. Estimated costs of implementing this proposal range from $19 billion to $90 billion.

Ground-level ozone forms when emissions from industrial facilities, power plants, landfills and motor vehicles react in the sun.
EPA will take public comment for 60 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. The agency will hold three public hearings on the proposal: Feb. 2, 2010 in Arlington, Va. and in Houston; and Feb. 4, 2010 in Sacramento.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone

Help Us To End Overfish

America's oceans are in trouble and need our help. Pollution, habitat destruction, mismanagement and overfishing have impoverished our ocean resources. Thus, the nation's fisheries have been declining precipitously for decades, with more than 90 percent of the world's large predatory fish, including tuna, swordfish and marlin disappearing from our oceans.

The Federal Fisheries Policy Reform Project calls upon the National Marine Fisheries Service to develop and implement policies, regulations, and fishery management plans designed to eliminate overfishing and protect the marine environment. It works with scientists, fishermen, policy makers, regional fishery managers and conservation organizations throughout the country.

The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental organization headquartered in the United States that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life.

Pew is asking people to please sign a petition calling for the end of overfishing and protection of coastal communities. The petition can be signed here:

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/coastal_communities?qp_source=fish%5fcwies?qp_source=fish%5fcw

To read more about how to End Overfishing or the Pew Environmental Group click on the links below:

• About PEW Environmental Group
• Rebuilding America’s Fisheries Today
• Investing in Our Future: The Economic Case for Rebuilding Mid-Atlantic Fish Populations

Where do the Atlanta Mayoral Candidates Stand

If you have not attended a debate, participated in early voting, or made your decision for the next Mayor of Atlanta, we would like to share their environmental platforms for creating a more sustainable Atlanta.  Not every candidate had a comprehensive environmental plan, however, this is not an endorsement of any kind, and our hope is that you take time to visit each candidates website to formulate your own opinion as we elect our next Mayor.  Out of fairness we utilized only the official campaign websites from each of the candidates as our source for related information.

GREEN'S 15

Has Green Seen Its 15-Minutes of Eco-Fame?

Has the eco-bubble deflated? Has Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth documentary and global warming lost its warming? Personally, I am still drinking the “Green Kool-Aid”, and proud of it! However, in the land of a million brands where its inhabitants can name more products than plants, recognize more animations than animals, and consume resources rather than conserve for generations to come – have we come to the end of the road? Was the “Green Economy” a mirage in the desert, or is there still hope on the horizon? At this point, there are only two scenarios, at least in my mind, which we can arguably dispute: (1) Green’s 15-miutes of fame are up, or (2) there is still hope for a Green future.

HOPENHAGEN: WILL THERE BE HOPE AT THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IN COPENHAGEN

HOPENHAGEN?


-WILL THERE BE HOPE AT THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IN COPENHAGEN?

Beginning December 7th 2009 and culminating on the 18th of that same month is the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15). It is encouraging to know that in addition to government representatives and the press, IGOs and NGOs can be admitted and participate in the COP15 conference. The ambition of the Danish government is that the COP15 conference in Copenhagen will result in an ambitious global agreement incorporating all the countries of the world.