New Boiler Pollution Standards Save Lives, Money

WASHINGTON (February 23, 2011) – The Environmental Protection Agency today released new common-sense, cost-effective and health-protecting rules to reduce the amount of pollution created when power plants, industrial facilities or other facilities burn coal or biomass in boilers. These new pollution standards will save businesses money over previous iterations and more than 5,000 lives a year from reduced mercury and other pollution. The new standards also stand in stark contrast to House Republican provisions included in last week’s spending bill to restrict EPA’s ability to reduce toxic pollution from boilers and other sources.

Below is the statement of Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee and a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee:

“The regulations released today provide another example of how EPA can both curb toxic air pollution and save lives cost-effectively, using industry input and sound science.

“EPA’s action stands in stark contrast to the campaign that House Republicans launched on the House floor last week to prevent limits on toxic pollution that endangers the health of children, pregnant women and the elderly.

“I’m not holding my breath that industry-friendly Republicans will support the EPA’s new anti-pollution rules, but the public’s health and well-being depend on putting these standards in place as soon as possible.”