"Dirty Air Act" Ignores Science For the Sake of Polluting Companies

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today she is strongly opposed to a bill that would overturn scientific findings on the health effects of certain kinds of air pollution. The bill passed the House today.

"It's outrageous that Members of Congress think they can somehow change established scientific facts with legislation. The scientists at EPA have found that carbon air pollution is a significant threat to public health, but now some Republicans think they can undo that science with a bill," Pingree said. "Politicians should stick to the politics and leave the science to the scientists."

Pingree voted against what some are calling the "Dirty Air Act" this afternoon--a bill that would block the EPA from enforcing regulation of carbon dioxide pollution and repealing parts of the Clean Air Act. According to a recent report, last year alone the Clean Air Act prevented 160,000 premature deaths by preventing millions of cases of respiratory problems, including bronchitis and asthma.

"Right now there is no limit on the amount of carbon dioxide that companies can release into our air," Pingree said. "Scientists at the EPA say this is a big public health threat and they need to regulate that pollution. I know big oil and coal companies might not like the idea of having to clean up their act, but it's the right thing to do for public health. And the innovation that will result will create good paying clean technology jobs."

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