Last year, the Clean Air Act prevented 160,000 premature deaths from harmful air pollutants. The law has helped Americans breathe freely for the past 40 years, but it's now under attack.
Without clean air protections, exposure to harmful air pollutants will be inescapable, increasing the likelihood of numerous health problems, including asthma attacks, chronic lung diseases, strokes and fatal heart attacks.
Americans have the right to breathe clean, pollutant-free air. Don't let that right be heartlessly stolen away. Urge Congress to support the Clean Air Act and thwart any efforts to weaken air standards!
I am writing today to ask you to oppose any efforts to weaken clean air protections or efforts that impede the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) ability to update air pollution standards.
Our nation depends on the Clean Air Act for air that is healthy to breathe. The law prevents tens of thousands of asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes and even premature deaths caused by air pollution each year.
Yet, the House of Representatives has passed a series of bills designed to block the cleanup of mercury and other toxics from power plants and industrial facilities, to block rules that protect people from out-of-state pollution, and to thwart the Agency's review of the health effects associated with deadly soot or particulate matter.
As one of your constituents, I am deeply troubled by this dangerous assault on common-sense health protections. Americans can't take a break from breathing and EPA scientists shouldn't be forced to halt their responsibility to protect our air.
Eliminating these protections would cost Americans dearly, both in dollars and in lives. The EPA estimates the air quality improvements under the Clean Air Act will save nearly $2 trillion by 2020 and prevent at least 230,000 deaths annually.
Americans are in favor of protective pollution limits, and aren't asking Congress to change the law. A recent bi-partisan survey showed that more than 77 percent of voters do not want Congress to stop the EPA from setting stricter pollution limits and 66 percent of voters would prefer that EPA set pollution standards, not Congress.
The Clean Air Act helps safeguard all Americans from air pollution. We have these protections because for more than 40 years Congressional leaders of all parties worked together to defend the lives and health of their constituents. I hope you will continue in that tradition and look forward to your response.
[Your Comments Here]
Please defend and protect the Clean Air Act.
