UPDATE: EPA Attack Defeated
In: Call to Action, Environmental Health, Environmental Justice, Federal Policy, Uncategorized
UPDATE (3/8/2012)
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Today, Tuesday, March 6, the United States Senate will vote on the Transportation bill.
It is believed that Senator Harry Reid is going to allow amendments to be accepted. U.S. Senator Collins (Republican- Maine) has introduced an amendment/rider (SA 1660) to the Transportation bill.
This amendment/rider will weaken or destroy the EPA’s effort to regulate clean air standards for industrial boilers and incinerators (Industrial Power Plants).
In essence, it will invalidate the pending Industrial Boiler and Incinerator Rule (EPA) that was going to be finalized in Spring of this year.
Power plants mainly burn coal and are the nation’s second largest industrial source of mercury, which is a dangerous neurotoxin that harms children’s developing brains.
This amendment would delay EPA compliance deadlines for industry by a minimum of 3.5 years.
Last year, EPA listened to industry concerns and concerns from the public, and decided to re-propose toxic air pollution standards for industrial boilers and incinerators in December 2011; the Rule is scheduled to be finalized in Spring of this year.
It’s been stated that Senators Levin and Stabenow have been receiving lots of pressure from industry to support Senator Collins’ amendment.
Our request: We are requesting that Senator Carl Levin and Senator Debbie Stabenow keep the transportation bill free of non-germane riders.
Specifically, we ask that they oppose riders that make unnecessary public and environmental health trade-offs such as the Collins Amendment.
Michigan has much to gain from healthier populations with less exposure to toxic pollution.
PLEASE CALL:
Senator Debbie Stabenow (DC Office) 202-224-4822 (leave a message with the receptionist or ask to speak with Matthew Vankuiken)
Local Office: (313) 961-4330
Senator Carl Levin (DC Office) 202-224-6221 (leave a message with receptionist or ask to speak to Alice Yates)
Local Office: (313) 226-6020
Calls must be made as soon as possible, because the vote on the amendment will take place Wednesday morning.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kimberly Hill at the office at (313) 833-3935 x41.
Click link for BACKGROUND INFO on the Boiler Amendment
SAMPLE PHONE SCRIPT – Please review before calling:
• Hello, my name is ________________, and I’m from [CITY].
• [Give a brief description of yourself: I am a doctor/nurse/business owner/
teacher/mother/ father/grandmother/grandfather/person with asthma/
parent of a child with asthma/etc.]
• I’m calling to urge Senator ________________ to vote NO on Senator
Collins Amendment (SA 1660) that would severely limit the EPA from
doing its job in regulating clean air standards for Industrial Boilers and
Incinerators, in an effort to protect the public health.
• Please allow the EPA to finalize and implement the Industrial Boiler and
Incinerator Rule, which will prevent thousands of premature deaths,
prevent thousands of heart attacks and asthma attacks
• The EPA has the important job of protecting the public – especially our
children – from dangerous pollution, there I urge Senator __________, to
oppose ANY efforts to weaken the EPA
• Any delay or attempt to limit the EPA’s ability to do its job is a step in the
wrong direction and will have deadly impacts for Michigan.
Thank you.
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