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National Ozone Pollution Standards

December 3, 2014
Speeches

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) stood in support of the EPA's proposal for a new standard on ground-level ozone pollution.

Below is a video and transcript of the speech.

Mr. Speaker.

Since the Clean Air Act was enacted into law more than 40 years ago, we have seen tremendous progress in cleaning up our air and in protecting thousands of communities around the country.

Unfortunately, many Americans are still living in communities where poor air quality puts them and their loved ones health at risk.

That's why I'm proud to support the EPA's new standard for ground- level ozone pollution.

Whether we work outdoors or simply want our children to be able to play outside, the EPA's recent national ozone pollution standards bring us one step closer to cleaner, healthier communities for everyone to enjoy.

This proposal would lower the current standard of 75 parts per billion to a standard in the range of 65 to 70 parts per billion, while taking public comments on a level as low as 60.

Despite what many of my colleagues seem to believe, successful public health protection depends on the latest scientific data.

And as many Members have been so eager to point out, we are not scientists. All we can do is rely on the best data out there from experts in the field.

In this case, the data is quite clear.

A significantly expanded body of scientific evidence, including more than 1,000 new studies since the last review of the standards, show that ozone can cause harmful effects to health and the environment.

Health experts, epidemiologists, and numerous medical organizations have clearly stated that the existing EPA smog standard of 75 parts per billion is not adequate to protect public health – particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, outdoor workers and those with chronic medical conditions like asthma.

In all, 147 million people in the U.S. – almost half of the country – are breathing unhealthy air.

Earlier this year, the American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2014" ranked Chicago as the 14th most polluted city in the nation for short-term particle pollution.

The city also ranked 20th for most ozone-polluted and for year-round particle pollution.

In fact, nearly half of all Americans live in counties where ozone or particle pollution levels make the air unhealthy to breathe.

Studies have linked breathing ozone to an increased risk of premature deaths and difficulty breathing, as well as other serious illnesses.

In the U.S. today, one child in 10 already suffers from asthma, and ozone pollution only makes things worse.

When asked what steps need to be taken to reduce the air pollution, the American Lung association said that federal action, including the EPA setting strong, health-based standards to limit ozone pollution, is one of the most important action steps we can take.

When we update our national ozone pollution standards, we are not only cleaning up our air, but also protecting those most at-risk.

These changes would have a lasting and positive impact on my home state of Illinois, where 1.2 million adults and 13% of children suffer from smog-related asthma- well above the national average.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing."

Knowing the tremendous impacts ozone pollution has on our environment and community health, the decision to do nothing is not a viable option.

Per usual, there are those here that are attacking this new proposal with claims of job loss and economic harm.

According to science deniers and special interests, this proposal will cause the sky to fall.

The facts, however, state otherwise.

Since 1970, we have cut harmful air pollution by almost 70% while the US economy has more than tripled.

An ozone standard in the proposed range of 65-70 parts per billion has public health benefits worth billions of dollars.

Reducing ozone and particle pollution nationwide will avoid countless premature deaths and thousands of asthma-related emergency room visits.

Not to mention, fewer missed school and work days.

The impact of ozone on agricultural workers is also important in its own right.

A reduction in the ozone standard would translate into an annual cost savings of approximately over $1 billion in labor expenditure.

We have countless scientific studies that clearly display the negative health risks associated with unregulated ozone pollution.

Nevertheless, critics continue to play a dangerous role in denouncing the science and the law EPA has used for more than 40 years.

The science cannot be ignored. Now is the time to protect the most vulnerable among us. Now is the time to fight for better air quality across the country. Now is the time for action to protect American health and the environment.

We cannot afford to wait. Clean air is essential to a healthy community and a strong economy.

Thank you and I yield back.

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