U. S. Senate Vote Protects Tennessee from Other States' Air Pollution

In a 56-41 vote, a bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate today upheld EPA rules that protect Tennessee from harmful air pollution emitted by facilities in other states while also creating new, full-time jobs. Senator Alexander (R-TN) voted to support the “cross-state” rule that protects people’s health, saves lives, and creates jobs while Senator Corker (R-TN) voted to dismantle it.

“We thank Senator Alexander for his leadership, standing up for people’s lives,” said Nat Mund, legislative director at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “His support demonstrates that saving lives and protecting people’s health while creating new, full-time jobs is not a partisan issue, but a common sense approach. We’re disappointed that Senator Corker voted against lifesaving protections for his constituents.

The EPA reports that this protection prevents as many as 34,000 premature deaths, 400,000 asthma 15,000 heart attacks, and 19,000 hospital visits each year by limiting harmful air pollution that crosses state lines. Health professionals urged politicians to uphold, without delaying or weakening, these lifesaving protections in a letter signed by organizations including the American Lung Association, American Association of Respiratory Care, American College of Preventative Medicine, American Nurses Association, and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

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The Southern Environmental Law Center is a regional nonprofit using the power of the law to protect the health and environment of the Southeast (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama). Founded in 1986, SELC's team of more than 40 legal and policy experts represent more than 100 partner groups on issues of climate change and energy, air and water quality, forests, the coast and wetlands, transportation, and land use.
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