04/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/25/2024 04:13
Larisa Manescu, [email protected]
Federal standards will ensure cleaner, reliable power, protecting the climate and the health and welfare of our communities
Washington, D.C. - In a major win for the climate and public health, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized four separate standards today that will slash air, water, and carbon pollution from power plants.
These critically-needed safeguards will improve air and water quality for families and communities across the country. In partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies' Beyond Carbon initiative, Sierra Club has long been advocating for stronger national limits on coal and gas pollution and a transition to cleaner, more reliable energy. Today's announcement from the EPA will help us get there while also ensuring that more communities can breathe cleaner, healthier air along the way. The Sierra Club has profiled how dangerous coal plantsare and why these rules are desperately needed.
Over one million people submitted public comments on proposals to strengthen these federal standards, including tens of thousands of Sierra Club members and supporters who urged the Biden administration to adopt the most protective rules possible.
In response to the announcement of the standards, Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous released the following statement:
"The Biden Administration is taking historic and decisive action to protect our health, our clean air and water, and safeguard our collective future. In finalizing federal standards to address the deadly and dangerous pollution from fossil fuel power plants, which have long endangered our communities, the Biden Administration has listened to the overwhelming public demand and delivered on its promise to ensure every person, regardless of zip code, gains access to clean air, safe water, and a stable climate.
"Today is the culmination of years of advocacy for common-sense safeguards that will have a direct impact on communities long forced to suffer in the shadow of the dirtiest power plants in the country. It is also a major step forward in our movement's fight to decarbonize the electric sector and help avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
"This suite of rules marks the beginning of our next chapter in the fight to transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy. This future will be built on a reliable and affordable power grid that leaves no community saddled with the pollution that threatens their health and their futures. Slashing harmful emissions from the hundreds of fossil fuel power plants across the country is a critical part of that effort, and we look forward to working closely with the Biden EPA to implement both these final rules and the Administration's new comprehensive approach for existing gas plants as soon as possible."
Environment Program Lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies Antha Williams said:
"Through our decade-plus partnership with Sierra Club and other partners, the Beyond Carbon and Beyond Coal initiatives have been laser-focused on protecting our climate, air, and water from the devastating pollution spewed out by coal and gas power plants and advancing the transition to clean energy. The EPA standards finalized today are a monumental step forward for reducing the burdens of toxic pollution on local communities and a testament to the Biden Administration's commitment to hitting the country's climate targets and protecting America's health and environment."
Background for standards:
Carbon Pollution Standards:
Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS):
Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs), or coal wastewater standards:
Coal Ash Standards:
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.