Complete list of press releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Beth Trask, 301-495-9570, 617-669-8745 (mobile), btrask@seaweb.org
Kathleen Goldstein, 202-841-0295 (mobile), kgoldstein@environmentaldefense.org

(Washington, DC – October 23, 2006) Parents committed to feeding their children a healthy diet now have some extra help, thanks to a new collaborative effort of chefs, pediatricians, and sustainable seafood experts, called KidSafe Seafood. Spearheaded by SeaWeb and the Roy Disney Family Foundation in response to the increasing interest in serving kids low-fat, nutrient-rich seafood to counter the surge in childhood obesity and diet-related illnesses, KidSafe Seafood clearly identifies some of the healthiest seafood choices for kids—and provides easy recipes and resources for busy parents.

A new report released by the National Academies Institute of Medicine validates that a wide variety of low-contaminant seafoods can play an important part of a healthy diet for children. It also acknowledges, however, that parents and other consumers need clearer information to sort through seafood risks and benefits. While seafood offers omega-3 fatty acids, lean protein, and a variety of vitamins and minerals, most fish contain at least trace amounts of toxic industrial pollutants, particularly mercury and PCBs, which can be harmful to children’s growing bodies and rapidly developing brains.

“As a pediatrician, I find that many parents are confused about which fish are best for kids. They know fish is good for them, but they are unsure about which types are safe to serve,” said Dr. James Sears, a pediatrician and author of parenting books who helped develop KidSafe Seafood. “Fish are one of the most nutritious foods for kids, but it is important to select the right ones.”

The top ranking KidSafe Seafood choices are:

• Wild Alaskan salmon (pink, coho and chum)
• Tilapia (preferably from the United States or Central America)
• Shrimp (preferably U.S. farmed, Oregon pink, & northern “salad” shrimp)
• Farmed bay scallops
• Farmed blue mussels

Through a rigorous assessment process that analyzed the 65 most commonly eaten seafoods, the program has identified the very best seafood choices for children—those that are sufficiently low in mercury and PCBs as to be safe for children, age 3 and older, to eat at least once a week, based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s safety guidelines. All KidSafe Seafoods also meet high standards for nutrition and environmental friendliness to guide parents who are looking for the all-around best choices.

“If our oceans have abundant fish and pollution is reduced, we can ensure an excellent source of lean protein and essential fatty acids for our families now and for future generations,” said Dr. Becky Goldburg, Senior Scientist with the non-profit group Environmental Defense. “This initiative underscores the connection between human health and the environment by highlighting seafood options that are caught in a sustainable way and low in contaminants – in other words, seafood that is both good for you and good for the ocean.”

“Our task as parents can no longer be about just getting kids to clean their plates,” adds Michel Nischan, chef and owner with Paul Newman of The Dressing Room, A Homegrown Restaurant in Westport, CT. A father of five, Nischan changed how his own family eats after one of his sons was diagnosed with diabetes. “We have to pick foods more carefully–for nutritional value, for environmental well-being, and to build a foundation for lifelong healthy eating.”

For complete information about KidSafe Seafood, parents are encouraged to visit www.KidSafeSeafood.org. The website showcases kid-friendly recipes—including healthy homemade fish sticks—and easy cooking tips to help busy parents put seafood on the table every week.

To make its assessments, the program uses the best available state, federal, and academic studies, supplementing the limited data collected by the FDA, under the guidance of a panel of doctors and scientists. This week’s Institute of Medicine report also acknowledged the need for better government monitoring and research of the levels and effects of seafood containments. KidSafe Seafood will continually reassess and update its list, as new data becomes available.

KidSafe Seafood is a program of SeaWeb, an independent communications-based nonprofit organization focused on advancing ocean conservation and ensuring a healthy seafood supply for the future. The Roy Disney Family Foundation provided funding. Environmental Defense provided extensive scientific research and technical assistance, and offers a useful consumption advisory chart on contaminants in seafood at http://www.oceansalive.org/eat.cfm.

In a move to block state regulators from approving a rash of new coal-fired power plants without properly considering the environmental impacts, Environmental Defense has sued the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), alleging that the agency has not complied with state law including its own rules.

In its suit, filed October 17 in Travis County District Court, the Texas office of the national environmental group asks for a temporary or permanent injunction to require TCEQ to follow its own rules and authorizing statutes in its permitting process.

The power plants became an issue in this year’s elections when Governor Rick Perry issued an executive order fast-tracking the permitting process and then attended a news conference at which TXU, the state’s largest utility, announced plans to build 11 of the new coal-fired units. The new TXU plants would more than double the company’s annual emissions of carbon dioxide, the leading cause of global warming, from 55 million tons per year to 133 million tons. Perry’s fast-tracking of the permits undermines the ability of the TCEQ to conduct the fair review of the plants required by law.

Any entity seeking to build a new power plant must apply for an air permit from TCEQ and demonstrate that the proposed plant employs “best available control technology” (BACT). BACT is an emissions limitation that requires permit applicants to achieve the maximum degree of pollutant reduction that is achievable from any available production process or technique for controlling air pollution, while taking into account “energy, environmental and economic impacts.”

In its suit, Environmental Defense claims that the TCEQ violated its own rules and authorizing statutes when it did not require applicants for the power plant permits to consider coal-gasification (integrated gasification combined cycle, or IGCC) technology when conducting the required BACT analysis. IGCC technology is a much cleaner alternative for the production of electricity from coal than the older style pulverized coal plants proposed to be constructed in Texas. The suit claims that the applicants are legally required to consider all viable processes, including IGCC, in determining appropriate pollutant emissions limits for their projects. The lawsuit also claims that TCEQ, in violation of legal requirements, recently deleted a definition of BACT from the state regulations.

The suit also alleges that TCEQ violated Texas law by not requiring permit applicants to evaluate the potential cumulative impact their plants may have on the air quality of downwind areas such as Austin or the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, which are already under the gun from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to clean up their air quality. At least one analysis suggests that these and other Texas cities may be negatively impacted by pollutants blowing in from the proposed new power plants, but the TCEQ has not considered these impacts in the coal plant permitting process to date. In many cases, federal law requires that the addition of air pollutants from new sources like the proposed power plants would have to be offset by reductions in emissions from other area sources, including motor vehicles and other businesses.

“The inadequate evaluation of these proposed plants is a systemic problem at TCEQ,” explained Jim Marston, Environmental Defense’s regional director, “and this lawsuit is clearly the most efficient way to approach it. It’s time to find out if these written statutes are really the law or if they’re just guidelines to be ignored when convenient. The health of our families, the economic impact on Texas communities, and the climate of the entire planet are at stake. These laws were passed for a reason, and it’s time to enforce them.”

“We’ll be releasing a report next week outlining a number of quicker, cheaper, cleaner ways to address any short-term electric power capacity concerns state regulators might have, Marston said.”There is absolutely no justification for this rush to build a bunch of dirty plants that we don’t need and that will almost certainly have to be retrofitted to reduce their emissions in the very near future at a staggering cost to ratepayers.”

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Jeremy Soffin, Regional Plan Association, (212) 253-2727, x303
Meg Little, Environmental Defense, (202) 572-3387, mlittle@environmentaldefense.org

(Morristown, NJ - October 19, 2006) A new report released today revealed that a well-designed program to allow developers to pay for the rights to build at greater densities than ordinarily allowed could help pay to save tens of thousands of acres of open space in the New Jersey Highlands region. The Highlands region includes parts of Bergen, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties. According to the report, a transfer of development rights (TDR) market-based program could generate from $250 million to well more than $1 billion over a multi-year period to invest in open space with little or no public investment.

The report was released at a conference in Morristown hosted by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions and prepared by Regional Plan Association and Environmental Defense, in cooperation with New Jersey Future and Regional Planning Partnership.

“A well-designed transfer development rights program will be a win-win for the New Jersey Highlands,” said James T.B. Tripp, general counsel at Environmental Defense. “It will improve land conservation and spur smarter development.”

“This report makes it clear that TDR can work to benefit municipalities, landowners, conservationists and the Highlands Council,” said Thomas G. Dallessio, New Jersey Director for Regional Plan Association. “Within the right framework, TDR will capture real market values and provide opportunities for creating additional sources of funding to address landowner equity concerns. It can help protect areas with high resource values, especially designated “No build” areas and areas with potential exemptions so that large contiguous areas should be preserved.”

The report recommends a TDR program that transfers development rights from top priority conservation lands to receiving areas in Highland counties that are good candidates to absorb additional density above current zoning, close to infrastructure and are not environmentally sensitive. The report also calls for putting receiving areas in places that have high economic value and are currently zoned for limited development. Given the range of property values across the Highlands, the report suggests that development credits should be issued from a bank.

The report describes a geographic information system (GIS) that can be used to select and visualize appropriate receiving areas. The GIS incorporates an economic model and real estate sales information to project what developers would pay for transfer development rights. The full report is available at: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/5548_HighlandsTDROct2006.pdf. To view a map of the Highlands region, go to: http://www.highlands.state.nj.us/njhighlands/actmaps/maps/highlands_map.pdf.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Tatjana Vujic, 919-881-2916
Dan Whittle, 919-881-2914

(October 19, 2006 - Raleigh, NC) Tatjana Vujic, a former attorney with the US Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC, has joined the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense. Vujic will work with senior attorney Dan Whittle. She will focus on environmental policy and legal issues relating to conservation incentive programs and agriculture.

While at EPA, Vujic worked on enforcement of the federal Clean Air Act. Most recently, she served as a consultant to Environmental Defense on clean hog waste technologies and spearheaded a US Department of Agriculture grant that will fund development of byproducts and new markets for hog waste.

Vujic received a J.D. with honors from the George Washington University Law School and a B.A. from Yale University. From 2001 to 2002, Vujic served as a law clerk to the Honorable James C. Cacheris on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

EMBARGOED UNTIL: 3pm ET, October 18, 2006

Contact:
Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@environmentaldefense.org
Meg Little, 202-572-3387, mlittle@environmentaldefense.org

(Moultrie, GA - October 18, 2006) Environmental Defense praised the announcement today of a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) initiative to restore up to a quarter million acres of longleaf forests in nine southern states. The announcement was made by U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Administrator Teresa Lasseter and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) during a 3pm news conference in Moultrie, GA (see media advisory below).

Longleaf pine forests play an important role in the overall environmental and financial health of the South. Longleaf once covered 70-90 million acres in a great arc from Virginia to Texas, but only about 3 million acres remain today. Producers in the states of the natural range of longleaf pine forests may sign up without delay to participate starting December 1 in the CRP Longleaf Pine Initiative. They include: Alabama (37,000 acres), Florida (42,750 acres), Georgia (44,750 acres), Louisiana (36,250 acres), Mississippi (21,500 acres), North Carolina (32,250 acres), South Carolina (21,000 acres), Texas (10,750 acres) and Virginia (3,750 acres).

“Administrator Lasseter and Chairman Chambliss’ announcement today is a great boost for longleaf pine, landowners, and wildlife,” said Robert Bonnie, Co-Director of the Land, Water and Wildlife Program for Environmental Defense, a non-profit group which lobbied for CRP Longleaf Pine Initiative. “The Farm Service Agency’s action today provides landowners with powerful incentives to restore up to 250,000 acres of longleaf pine on farmland. These future forests will restore rare wildlife habitat, boost bob white quail and turkey populations, and produce valuable forest products for decades to come.”

The CRP provides technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to reduce soil erosion, protect the nation’s ability to produce food and fiber, reduce sedimentation in streams and lakes, improve water quality, establish wildlife habitat, and enhance forest and wetland resources.

“This announcement demonstrates that Farm Service Agency conservation incentive programs are vitally important to helping landowners help the environment,” concluded Bonnie. “We applaud Chairman Chambliss’ leadership in promoting this effort and the Farm Service Agency for its commitment to longleaf pine conservation.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Sharyn Stein, (202) 572-3396, sstein@environmentaldefense.org
or Vickie Patton (303) 447-7215, vpatton@environmentaldefense.org

(Washington, D.C. - October 12, 2006) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today filed a proposed settlement with Environmental Defense and several other parties in the federal court of appeals in Washington, D.C. in which it agreed and stipulated that a December 13, 2005 policy discouraging technology innovation has no binding legal effect on any state, person or entity. The technology, dubbed Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, has the capacity to reduce several airborne contaminants and to remove and store underground heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions before they are released to the atmosphere.

The proposed settlement is significant because coal-fired power plants discharge more heat-trapping carbon dioxide than virtually any other form of electricity production and the Department of Energy reports that a staggering 154 new coal plants are in various stages of development nationwide. Texas and Illinois alone account for nearly one-quarter of the new coal capacity pending nationwide. Twenty-eight of the 154 proposed new coal plants would use advanced coal gasification technology (see www.netl.doe.gov/coal/refshelf/ncp.pdf). The Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration projected earlier this year that annual carbon dioxide emissions from power plants will increase by 1.1 billion tons (44%) between 2004 and 2030 largely due to increased reliance on coal. This projected increase is the equivalent to the annual carbon dioxide emissions from 196 million cars.

“EPA’s flawed policy has directly discouraged cleaner energy technologies that lower dangerous air pollution and help fight global warming,” said Environmental Defense senior attorney Vickie Patton. “Today’s proposed settlement lifts any EPA cloud over the long-standing Clean Air Act imperative to protect human health and the environment by truly minimizing pollution from new coal plants. The nation must move forward and work together in the urgent fight against particulate pollution, mercury and global warming, not hinder time-tested American innovation.”

The proposed settlement involves an EPA pronouncement last year that pointedly excluded mere consideration of advanced coal gasification technology or Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) as “best available control technology” for a proposed new coal plant. IGCC plants gasify coal and then burn the gas to produce electricity. The Clean Air Act calls for proposed new coal plants to use the “best available control technology” including available methods to maximize pollution reductions. In addition to Environmental Defense, the Montana Environmental Information Center and several other organizations are parties to the proposed settlement, which must undergo public notice and comment before it is finalized.

The EPA pronouncement on December 13, 2005 was invoked by Texas officials on December 14, 2005 in declining to consider advanced coal technology as part of the clean air permit for the proposed Sandy Creek 800 megawatt conventional coal plant The Sandy Creek plant will release as much as 7.6 million tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide each year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Sean Crowley, Environmental Defense, (202) 387-3500
Janea Scott, Environmental Defense, (213) 386-5501

(10 October 2006 – Washington, D.C.) Environmental Defense praised the announcement today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that so-called “ultra low sulfur diesel fuel” will be available on October 15th at retail locations nationwide because it will clear the way for far-reaching human health benefits (see www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel). In addition to applauding EPA’s leadership today, Environmental Defense called on the EPA to fulfill its overdue commitment to strengthen clean air standards for new diesel locomotives and marine engines that would reduce dangerous particulate pollution and smog-forming nitrogen oxides. Diesel exhaust is one of the most hazardous of all airborne contaminants, and is responsible for more cancer risk than any other single air pollutant.

The “ultra low sulfur diesel fuel” would dramatically reduce the sulfur content in diesel fuel from the pre-existing standard of 500 parts per million to 15 parts per million. It will cut sulfur dioxide pollution from diesel engines on the road today and enable state-of-the-art diesel engine technology for new diesel buses and freight trucks manufactured in model year 2007 to lower soot and smog-forming pollution.

“Delivering low sulfur diesel fuel to the pump will pave the way for cleaner school buses and freight trucks that make the air safer to breathe,” said Environmental Defense senior attorney Vickie Patton. “We urge EPA to complete its important work securing cleaner diesel engines for America by lowering the harmful soot and smog from diesel locomotives and ships.”

In 2004, EPA established new low sulfur diesel fuel requirements for ships and locomotives, and committed to propose new companion cleaner diesel engine standards to lower particulate pollution and oxides of nitrogen by mid-2005.

A major new private sector study shows pollution control technology used on both new and retrofitted diesel trains and ships could cut emissions of dangerous air pollution by up to 85% or more. The technology already is used in heavy-duty trucks, buses, and non-road machinery such as construction or mining equipment, and is reducing emissions of the same harmful contaminants – particulate pollution and smog-forming nitrogen oxides - by 90% or more.

The report was issued by the Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association (MECA), which represents numerous companies that manufacture pollution control technology. The MECA case studies included locomotives in southern California, Switzerland, Europe, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Massachusetts; and marine engines in New York City, Staten Island, San Francisco and Vallejo, California, and the state of California, Europe and Asia. The full report, Case Studies of the Use of Exhaust Emission Controls on Locomotives and Large Marine Diesel Engines, is available online.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
The Ad Council: Ellyn Fisher, 212-984-1964, efisher@adcouncil.org
NMSF: Lori Arguelles, 301 608-3040 X1, lori@nmsfocean.org
NOAA: Scott Smullen, 202-482-6090, Scott.Smullen@noaa.gov 
Environmental Defense: Kathleen Goldstein, 202-572-3243, kgoldstein@environmentaldefense.org
Buena Vista Home Ent: Amelia McPartlon, 818-295-5243, Amelia.B.McPartlon@Disney.com

(Washington, D.C. – October 4, 2006) The Advertising Council announces today in partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (NMSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Defense and The Walt Disney Studios’ Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment Division, the launch of a multi-media public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to encourage all Americans to protect the oceans from the devastation of marine debris.

The campaign, which prominently features scenes and characters from Disney’s ocean-themed animated classic, The Little Mermaid, marks the first time that the three environmental organizations have partnered on the important issue of ocean protection. The use of such universally loved characters will help to deliver this vital environmental message in a family friendly way.

Over half of the nation’s population lives along the coast, while many others visit the ocean each year. Yet, few Americans are aware that the health of our oceans is currently at risk; nor do they realize that they have a significant role to play in keeping the oceans clean. No matter where people live, marine debris, such as fast food packaging; cigarette lighters/butts/packaging; beverage containers and disabled or waste fishing gear either enters the oceans directly when discarded near the coast, or indirectly via rivers, streams and storm drains which ultimately flow into the oceans. In fact, routine activities on land and water contribute to 6.4 million tons of debris entering the oceans each year.

The majority of marine debris is comprised of plastics, which cause environmental problems they degrade even more slowly in seawater than on land. In fact, discarded plastic bags comprise over 50% of dangerous marine items and are consumed by marine mammals such as sea turtles and whales. This consumption causes blockage of their intestinal tracts, which can lead to choking and starvation. Additionally, thousands of seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins and sea turtles also become entangled in plastic debris or in lost and discarded fishing lines and nets every year. This not only destroys marine habitat, but causes skin lesions, ulcerating wounds, suffocation and death.

The new campaign is designed to raise awareness among Americans about the health of the oceans and the impact of human actions on the ocean ecosystem. The campaign also seeks to inspire individuals to identify ways they can take action to help keep our oceans clean.

“We all love and enjoy the oceans, but studies show that the majority of Americans rarely think about how our actions impact their well-being. Research shows that ocean pollution is low on our list of environmental concerns,” said Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of The Advertising Council. “This campaign beautifully conveys how important and easy it is to protect our oceans.”

The Little Mermaid’s enchanting ocean setting made it the perfect visual foundation for this project. As the most requested animated Disney DVD title, it is very recognizable to parents and families, who watch the movie and have an emotional connection with the characters – and are the key demographic for making a difference on this environmental issue.

The PSAs feature the classic characters Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian, as well as others from The Little Mermaid. All of the PSAs communicate to audiences that, regardless of where you live, “life in the oceans depends on you” and encourages us all to dispose of trash properly.

“The good news is that the problem of trash in our oceans is one that CAN be solved,” said Lori Arguelles, President and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. “As this campaign points out, each one of us can make a huge difference by being more aware of how we dispose of trash. The ocean truly is ‘part of our world’ and The Little Mermaid characters help make that connection, especially to children, who have a huge impact on their parents’ actions, as previous land-based recycling efforts have shown.”

The new PSAs encourage Americans to visit a new website, www.keepoceansclean.org, to learn how they can protect the oceans. Developed by Animax, the site provides information and motivation for children and families to do their part to help protect the oceans by taking visitors into the ocean where they see real fish swimming alongside animated debris. Visitors are encouraged to explore the world by clicking on the objects, which provide information on the breadth of the problem and tips on how to protect the oceans. Additionally, the website includes links to games for children, as well as information for parents and teachers. Ocean Pet Tropical Fish in Los Angeles provided the fish that are featured on the website.

“No one person or organization can single handedly promote ocean awareness and the importance of eliminating marine debris. NOAA is excited about this partnership with the environmental community, the Ad Council, and Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment as a mechanism to educate and energize the American public to protect our oceans,” said Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Vice Admiral (Ret.), Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. The new PSA campaign will feature television spots, including Spanish, an outdoor and online campaign and will be distributed to media outlets nationwide this month to appear in advertising time and space donated by the media.

“Oceans provide us with food, medicine, recreation and much more,” said Environmental Defense Oceans Program Director David Festa. “Without healthy oceans, we cannot lead healthy lives.”

To view the PSAs, visit www.keepoceansclean.org

“No one person or organization can single handedly promote ocean awareness and the importance of eliminating marine debris. NOAA is excited about this partnership with the environmental community, the Ad Council, and Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment as a mechanism to educate and energize the American public to protect our oceans,” said Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Vice Admiral (Ret.), Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Sean Crowley 202-572-3331, 202-550-6524-c, scrowley@environmentaldefense.org
Meg Little 202-572-3387, mlittle@environmentaldefense.org

(September 27, 2006 - Washington, DC) – Below is a statement by Scott Faber, farm policy campaign director for Environmental Defense, on the introduction today of the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act (“EAT Healthy America Act”), sponsored by Reps. Richard Pombo (R-CA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA),  Adam Putnam (R-FL), and John Salazar (D-CO).

“Renewal of federal farm and food policies creates a rare opportunity to boost the profitability of more farmers, to give consumers more healthy food choices, to boost domestic energy production, and to reward farmers, ranchers and forest landowners when they take steps to meet our environmental challenges. I applaud the sponsors of the EAT Healthy Act – Reps. Pombo, Cardoza, Putnam, and Salazar - for introducing legislation that will help make health, energy, equity and the environment the central focus of the 2007 Farm Bill.

“Our farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are anxious to solve America’s environmental challenges. Farmers can do much more than provide food, fuels and fiber – they can also provide clean air, clean water, and clean energy. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of producers – or roughly three-out-of-four eligible applicants – are annually rejected when they offer to share the cost of a healthier environment or to serve as the frontline against sprawl. We can’t meet some of America’s most significant environment challenges unless we reward – rather than reject – farmers when they offer to help.”

“The conservation provisions of the EAT Healthy Act will double voluntary incentives for the stewardship of working farm, ranch and forest land – including a new voluntary, incentive-based program to help address the air quality challenges posed by agriculture. In addition, the conservation provisions of the EAT Healthy will provide unprecedented resources to reward farmers, ranchers and forest landowners when they voluntarily take steps to help America’s rare wildlife. Since the stewardship incentives included the EAT Healthy Act flow to all farmers regardless of what they grow, how much they grow, or where they live, the conservation provisions of the EAT Healthy Act will help ensure that the next farm bill serves more agricultural producers and more regions. ”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

CONTACT: 
Vickie Patton 720-837-6239, patton@ed.org;
John Balbus 301-908-8186, jbalbus@ed.org; or
Meg Little 202-572-3387, mlittle@ed.org

WASHINGTON, DC (September 21, 2006) – Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a final decision today on the nation’s particulate pollution air quality standards that fails to protect public health from the death and disease associated with this dangerous pollutant.   Like EPA’s flawed proposal announced in December, the Agency declined to strengthen the nation’s annual standard for “fine” particulate pollution concentrations – a standard that must be lowered to more effectively protect human health.

EPA’s decision ignores the advice of its own committee of expert scientists, the recommendations of 100 leading health scientists, and an unprecedented coalition of national medical and health associations.    Fine particulate air pollution is comprised of microscopic particles about thirty times smaller than the width of a human hair that originate primarily from tailpipes and smokestacks and can be breathed deeply into the body’s respiratory tract. The current annual fine particle standard is 15 micrograms per cubic meter.

EPA finalized its proposal to lower the 24-hour fine particle standard (from the current 65 micrograms per cubic meter to 35 micrograms per cubic meter) and claims that is sufficient. It is not. EPA’s risk assessment data and modeling analyses show that the annual fine particulate pollution standard must be lowered to prevent the preponderance of premature deaths from particulate pollution and to spur meaningful pollution cuts, including further region wide reductions from coal-fired power plants across the eastern United States.   

“EPA’s action is truly breath-taking in ignoring the dangerous impact of particulate pollution on American’s hearts and lungs,” said Dr. John Balbus, the health program director for Environmental Defense and co-founder of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health and the Environment.  “By ignoring medical science, EPA is fundamentally failing to protect Americans from the serious death and disease associated with particulate pollution.”

EPA’s action ignores: the recommendations of EPA’s own Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, the advice of EPA’s own Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee, the recommendations of 100 leading research scientists and physicians, and the unprecedented comments of some two dozen national and local health organizations. The EPA Office of Research and Development concluded in a July 2006 report that the most recent scientific studies continue to underscore and strengthen evidence for the serious adverse health effects of particulate pollution.

More than 2000 peer-reviewed scientific studies examining the health effects of particulate pollution have been published since the EPA last updated the nation’s health standards in 1997.  These studies clearly show that particulate pollution imposes a heavy burden on human health at levels well below the current standards.  

The major health effects of breathing particulate pollution include premature deaths, heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, strokes, lung cancer, reduced lung function, and asthma attacks. This burden is measured in thousands of deaths, hospital admissions, doctor visits, and millions of lost school and work days.