Stronger Air Pollution Standards

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. McCLELLAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Environmental Protection Agency on finalizing a stronger air pollution standard that will protect communities and achieve better outcomes across our Nation.

Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration, the EPA strengthened the national air ambient quality standard for soot, from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9. Today's final rule is a major step toward addressing one of the most dangerous environmental health risks in the country.

As is too often the case, low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by soot pollution and experience worse health outcomes as a result, including higher rates of respiratory illnesses, particularly asthma, heart attacks, cancer, and infant mortality.

Strengthening these standards will prevent 4,500 premature deaths, avoid 290,000 lost workdays, and result in as much as $46 billion in public health benefits.

Shortly after being sworn in, I called on the EPA to curb soot pollution and finalize a strong rule, and I am grateful for the administration's action which will begin to address historic inequities in our marginalized communities across the Nation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source