Upton-Inhofe-Whitfield Dirty Air Bill is a Threat to Public Health

Environment Michigan

Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI),Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) joined the ranks of Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) by launching their own attack on public health and the Clean Air Act yesterday. Two days after Senators Barrasso and Rockefeller introduced dangerous legislation to block new public health protections, Rep. Upton, Rep. Whitfield and Sen. Inhofe released sweeping draft bill language that would block Clean Air Act limits on carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants, overturn scientific findings regarding the threats posed by global warming, and even block states from moving ahead with their own clean car standards.
 
Environment Michigan State Associate Nicole Lowen issued the following statement in response:
 
 “Congressmen Upton and Whitfield and Senator Inhofe have launched a brazen attack on America’s public health and environment.  By doing the bidding of the nation’s biggest polluters, they are replacing the health of Michigan’s children, elderly citizens and other vulnerable populations at risk.  Congressman Upton should be working in the interest of Michigan citizens, not for polluters.  The U.S. EPA and the Clean Air Act—and Michigan’s clean air programs—have been protecting public health and the environment from dangerous pollution for four decades and this success should be built upon, not torn down.
 
 “Global warming presents serious threats to Michigan’s health, economy, and future.  The year 2010 tied as the hottest year on record globally, and if left unchecked, global warming will lead to more deadly heat waves, more unhealthy air days, the spread of infectious disease, and more frequent and intense storms.  But while EPA scientists have recognized the threats posed by global warming, Rep. Upton, Rep. Whitfield and Sen. Inhofe’s bill would overturn such findings, essentially saying that Congress knows climate science better than the climate scientists themselves.
 
 “Rather than heeding the science and letting EPA and the states do their job to protect public health and our environment, Congressman Upton is trying to give the biggest polluters a free pass to keep polluting and threatening our health.  Congress should reject these attacks and instead stand up for cleaner air and a healthier future.”