New EPA Safeguards Address Unsafe Texas Coal Plant Pollution #BeyondCoal #EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved to protect communities near coal-fired power plants from dangerous sulfur dioxide pollution by designating areas with unsafe levels of the pollutant as out of compliance with clean air standards. In Texas, the EPA identified dangerously high levels of sulfur dioxide pollution in East Texas surrounding Luminant’s Martin Lake, Big Brown and Monticello coal plants. This final decision is an important step in compelling the state of Texas to create a plan to address the problem and protect the communities living in the designated areas from unsafe air pollution.

Exposure to elevated levels of sulfur dioxide pollution for just a short time can make it hard to breathe and prolonged exposure to persistent levels of sulfur dioxide can make it easier to get sick and harder to smell over time. Children, the elderly and people with asthma are most affected by high levels of sulfur dioxide pollution. Chronic exposure is associated with lung and heart conditions, and even premature mortality. And sulfur dioxide pollution contributes to fine particulate matter which travels downwind, further endangering families across Texas.

In response to EPA’s final decision, Chrissy Mann, senior campaign representative for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, issued the following statement:

“The Sierra Club applauds today’s action by the EPA to identify areas in Texas around dirty, outdated coal plants where the air is unsafe to breathe because of high levels of sulfur dioxide pollution. These designations are a crucial first step to pushing Luminant–the biggest sulfur dioxide polluter in the state–to take responsibility for their pollution. The EPA’s decision will mean healthier air for those living near these plants in East Texas and will also help to reduce small particle pollution that can be dangerous for those who breathe the air downwind in places like Dallas.

“For too long Luminant has evaded responsibility for the deadly pollution its coal plants pump into our air. We hope that Texas officials will take today’s final rule seriously and create a plan to reduce pollution from these old coal plants and ensure that these vulnerable communities are protected from dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide pollution. It’s time for our state to put the health and safety of Texans before the interests of the failing coal industry.”