Last month, our U.S. Senators Levin and Stabenow stood up for the respiratory health of our most at risk groups, children and seniors, and supported the Clean Air Act.
They voted down Senate Joint Resolution (S.J.R.) 27, a measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Rand Paul that would have delayed urgently needed improved air quality standards proposed by the EPA, maybe indefinitely. The Cross State Air Pollution Rule would prevent between 14,000 and 36,000 premature deaths each year, not to mention many thousands of serious but non-fatal asthma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes.
But big polluters made a serious effort to delay this important rule that would require them to install scrubbers and act as good corporate citizens, protecting the health and welfare of children and seniors. Their short-sighted and reckless self-interest endanger public health. So let’s all take a moment and thank Senators Levin and Stabenow for putting the health and welfare of their constituents ahead of the special interests.
Karla Grossman
Project Director, Washtenaw Asthma Coalition
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