More needs to be done to enforce the Clean Air Act

More needs to be done to enforce the Clean Air Act

Published in the Pottstown Mercury: Saturday, January 29, 2011

More than 1.15 million Pennsylvanians with asthma, including 260,003 children, face increased health risks if three U.S. House members from Pennsylvania are successful in preventing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from enforcing the Clean Air Act, according to data compiled by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and released with Health Care Without Harm. The lawmakers collectively have received more than $500,000 from polluters, many of which make stopping the EPA a high priority.

Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., has cosponsored a bill (H.R. 97) introduced by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., that would permanently block EPA from limiting carbon pollution. There are 44,558 children and 141,921 adults in Rep. Gerlach's district with asthma — asthma that could worsen if carbon pollution continues to go unchecked. Carbon pollution is linked to asthma because it contributes to warmer temperatures, a key contributor to ozone (smog) formation. The Philadelphia area still has not attained the federal health standards for ozone.

Elected leaders, such as Rep. Gerlach, must not put the demands of campaign contributors before the health of their constituents. It is important that scientists and environmental health experts at the EPA be allowed to fulfill their mandate to protect public health without political interference.

KATIE FEENEY

Policy Analyst

Clean Air Council