Carbon Rules Could Bring Economic and Health Benefits

Monday, August 18, 2014

JEFFERSON CITY- The Environmental Protection agency (EPA) is taking public comments on new rules to cut carbon pollution from power plants by nearly one-third from 2005 levels. While supporters say the proposed regulations will save thousands of lives a year, critics say limits on carbon pollution will have a devastating economic impact.
Former EPA administrator Carol Browner dismisses arguments that new regulations for coal-fired power plants will harm the economy, and says a healthy environment actually makes the economy healthier. She cites one study that found clean air rules saved the U.S. about $1.3 trillion in 2010.
"We don't have to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. The two go together," Browner says. "The EPA proposal is a clear example of how you can find common sense, cost-effective ways to clean our air and protect the health of our communities."
On Tuesday, the EPA started holding public hearings on the proposed new rules in Atlanta, Denver, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. Comments can also be submitted via the EPA website through October 16th.
According to a Georgetown University nursing and health studies professor, people don't often realize how costly air pollution is. Laura Anderko says thousands die from the health effects of air pollution every year, and are often children or the elderly, or from poorer communities located downwind of smokestacks.
"People are sick and they can't go to work, or kids are sick and they can't go to school," says Anderko. "All of these E.R. visits from asthma attacks and hospitalizations cost a great deal of money."
Anderko says she often asks crowds how many of them know people with lung problems. "Every time I ask that question," says Anderko, "people raise their hand to show they know at least one person, whether it's a child, an elderly person, or themselves, that suffer from asthma or other cardio-respiratory diseases."
Many of the health benefits projected from reducing carbon pollution and burning less coal are incidental, but Anderko says climate change will increase heat and the amount of dangerous ozone in the air which people breathe. Reducing those conditions will mean fewer respiratory problems for vulnerable people.

To Read More
Subscribe Sign In
Continue reading with a subscription
Subscription options