Majority Leader Schumer Statement On EPA’s Clean Air Act Rule
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released the following statement on EPA's Clean Air Act Rule:
“The Biden Administration has taken a bold step forward today and made our future brighter and air cleaner for generations to come. The EPA’s Clean Air Act Rule would prevent premature deaths, reduce the number of lost workdays, and decrease our country’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 600 million metric tons,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “New York remains a strong leader in environmental protections, but we are at a crucial tipping point in determining what kind of water, air, and resources we leave for our children and grandchildren. Today’s announcement from EPA puts us on a better path and I commend the president, administrator, and all their staff for this new rule.”
According to the EPA, the proposal for coal and new natural gas power plants would avoid up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide (CO2) through 2042, which is equivalent to reducing the annual emissions of 137 million passenger vehicles, roughly half the cars in the United States. Through 2042, EPA estimates the net climate and health benefits of the standards on new gas and existing coal-fired power plants are up to $85 billion.
EPA also shared that the proposals would also result in cutting tens of thousands of tons of particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide, harmful air pollutants that are known to endanger people’s health, especially in communities that for too long have disproportionally shouldered the burden of high pollution and environmental injustice. In 2030 alone, the proposed standards would prevent:
- approximately 1,300 premature deaths;
- more than 800 hospital and emergency room visits;
- more than 300,000 cases of asthma attacks;
- 38,000 school absence days;
- 66,000 lost workdays.
