New soot standards proposed by Obama's EPA will save lives

[Willinois]

Here's some good news that was overshadowed by the immigration policy announcement. EPA is finally proposing new standards for regulating soot that will save thousands of lives.

Quote:The following is a statement from John Walke, clean air director at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Updating these standards will protect us from the tiniest particles that can cause the biggest health problems. By limiting the smoke, soot, metals and other pollution our lungs and hearts absorb, EPA is protecting all of us from asthma attacks, lung cancer, heart disease and premature deaths.”

“This a tremendous win for our health and the environment that could only be achieved by following the best science and upholding the Clean Air Act.”

Republicans staked out their usual position in favor of more death and asthma attacks.

Quote:In the GOP-controlled House, the response was also muted. Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) said they were disappointed that the EPA did not listen to their request to retain the current standards as part of the new proposal.

"Any change to these regulatory standards could result in significant adverse economic consequences and job losses," they stated. "Given the weak state of our economy, it is imperative the administration allow for a full and thorough review of all the alternatives, including retention of the current standards."

Asshats.

EPA estimated the financial costs.

Quote:Meanwhile, because reductions in fine particle pollution have direct health benefits including decreased mortality rates, fewer incidents of heart attacks, strokes, and childhood asthma, these standards have major economic benefits with comparatively low costs. Depending on the final level of the standard, estimated benefits will range from $88 million a year, with estimated costs of implementation as low as $2.9 million, to $5.9 billion in annual benefits with a cost of $69 million – a return ranging from $30 to $86 for every dollar invested in pollution control.

In other words, Americans spend billions every year in health care costs so that polluters don't have to spend a few million to clean up their own damn mess.

[Peacetrain]

And the right will roll back EPA standards because they are owing to the Oligarchs who now fund their party.. the rest of us are not even considered fully human by them (the Kochs, Adelsons etc) we are just fodder so who cares if our health suffers?

[Willinois]

(06-16-2012 08:10 AM)Peacetrain Wrote:  And the right will roll back EPA standards because they are owing to the Oligarchs who now fund their party.. the rest of us are not even considered fully human by them (the Kochs, Adelsons etc) we are just fodder so who cares if our health suffers?

I haven't heard any of the usual "both parties are the same" crap in response to this.

[Born_A_Truman]

Typical GOP response: they call it a job killer but it is okay if people die.