Clean Air, Healthy Communities Citizens Hearing

by CCAT Tuesday, Mar. 29, 2011 at 4:22 PM
dcapjane@aol.com 661-510-3412

Health, science and academic experts and private citizens defend clean air

Health, science and academic experts and private citizens defend clean air

LOS ANGELES, CA – Clean air champions are holding a hearing on safeguarding several clean air rules that are under attack from industry and their congressional allies. The hearing will consist of panel discussions with professors, scientists, doctors and other experts, as well as a public hearing for private citizens to voice their concerns regarding the right to clean air.

Currently there are Congressional efforts to undo several clean air protections. Among the rules attacked are those that would curb mercury pollution and particulate matter air pollution.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has passed these latest air protections:

· Limiting emissions of mercury, lead, arsenic, acid gases and other toxic pollutants from industrial boilers. This air toxics safeguard, often called the “Boiler MACT (Maximum Available Control Technology),” will save thousands of lives, and prevent thousands of cases of asthma attacks, heart attacks and hospital visits.

· Curbing mercury, lead, dioxins and other toxic air pollutants from coal-fired power plants. These pollution cuts will save approximately 17,000 lives every year, prevent 11,000 heart attacks annually and create thousands of new jobs.

· Cutting mercury and other toxic air pollution from cement kilns, which would cut roughly 16,600 pounds of mercury a year and save up to 2,500 lives.

· Stronger ozone standards which could save up to 12,000 lives annually, prevent tens of thousands of asthma attacks and hospital visits, and prevent hundreds of thousands of lost school and work days.

WHAT:

Clean air champions from across California are holding a citizens’ hearing on clean air rules that are under attack from industry and their congressional allies. The hearing comes as congressional leaders attempt to undo several of these health protections.

WHO:

California Communities Against Toxics

California Safe Schools

Coalition for Clean Air

Del Amo Action Committee

Coalition for a Safe Environment

Society for Positive Action

Physicians for Social Responsibility (Los Angeles)

East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice

People’s Core

Breathe LA



WHEN:

Wednesday, March 30, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (PST)

Public Testimony 5:00pm-7:30pm

WHERE:

Metropolitan Water District

700 North Alameda Street (Boardroom)

Los Angeles, California 90012