This past week, the House of Representatives passed a shocking anti-environmental bill that stands in the way of two important public health safeguards against air pollution. The TRAIN Act H.R. 2401, spear-headed by the anti-environment Rep. Eric Cantor, blocks requirements that would limit mercury emissions from power plants and would limit pollution that travels across state lines. The act also endangers the health of all communities.
Many refer to the Train Act as a Train Wreck. How can our leaders put big business before the health of our children? Study after study links air quality to good health. The EPA's recent report, The Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act from 1990 to 2020, found that reducing air pollution through the Clean Air Act will save $2 trillion by 2020 and prevent over two hundred thousand deaths annually. Fortunately, the President has said he will veto the Train Act if it gets to his desk. Tell your senators to vote against the Train Act, and support President Obama in his promise to veto it!
Environmental and public health groups (as listed below) issued the following statement after the shocking House vote:
“We are heartened by the President’s strong stand against the TRAIN Act and against pollution with his promise to veto this dangerous legislation. His leadership will keep Americans from being forced to breathe smog and other dangerous air pollutants. We call on the U.S. Senate to stand strong and reject the TRAIN Act and its deadly impacts on public health. Hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and heart attacks and tens of thousands of premature deaths can be prevented with common sense clean air safeguards proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency."
“The House today showed they have bought the false argument that we need to choose between protecting lives and creating jobs. Now we need the Senate and the President to protect our right to breathe.”
Environment America
Natural Resources Defense Council
Sierra Club
League of Conservation Voters
US Climate Action Network
League of Women Voters
Environmental Defense Fund
Earthjustice
Read more about the Train Act here: http://earthjustice.org/blog/2011-september/house-passes-train-actwreck
By Heidi Hutner. Original Post from: http://www.terraspheres.com/blogs/house-passes-shocking-anti-environment-train-act-or-train-wreck
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