Stop Bush’s Sweetheart Deal For Polluters

Dear Senator,


I write to urge you to oppose S. 131, the so-called "Clear Skies" initiative, which would weaken many of the Clean Air Act’s most important public health and environmental protections. S. 131 weakens protection from dangerous soot and smog, eliminates safeguards for our national parks, allows increased emissions of toxic mercury, and completely ignores the threat of global warming.


For over 30 years, the Clean Air Act has proved that cutting power plant emissions is compatible with maintaining a strong and growing economy. Instead of continuing along this path, however, S. 131 would rollback crucial Clean Air Act provisions that protect children from increased asthma, communities from toxic mercury levels, cities from dangerous soot and smog, and national parks from decreased visibility and destructive acid rain.


The largest polluting industries support the President's air pollution plan because it weakens current law. Specifically, S. 131 does the following:

• Weakens protection from dangerous soot and smog, which cause tens of thousands of premature deaths and asthma attacks each year.
  
• Weakens protection from toxic mercury.
  
• Eliminates local air quality standards, resulting in dangerous toxic hotspots.
  
• Weakens protections for our national parks and wilderness areas.
  
• Eliminates the power of states and local communities to control pollution.
  
• Delays deadlines for cleaning up our air, forcing Americans to breathe dirtier air longer.
  

Please support public health and clean air by opposing S. 131. Please respond to this letter letting me know how you intend to vote on this important issue.


Sincerely,

[Your name]


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