U. S. Senate Vote Protects Virginia from Other States’ Air Pollution

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

“We’re encouraged that Senators Warner and Webb stood up for saving people’s lives while creating new jobs at the same and call on them not to delay or weaken lifesaving Clean Air Act protections,” said Nat Mund, legislative director at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Saving lives and protecting people’s health while creating new, full-time jobs through clean air protections is a basic win-win. It’s irresponsible to put polluters’ profits ahead of peoples’ health.”

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 Association of Respiratory Care, American College of Preventative Medicine, American Lung Association, American Nurses Association, and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.