Last week, Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY)
announced the introduction of the "Clean Smokestacks Act of 2001," while
Senators Jim Jeffords (R-VT), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME) and
Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced the introduction of the Senate companion
bill, the "Clean Power Act of 2001."
The Sierra Club praised these members of Congress for introducing this
legislation to curb global warming and dramatically clean the air we breathe
by cutting power-plant pollution.
Below is information you may find useful regarding these bills.
(I will be sending this in 3 messages. -- Jane Clark)
1) Our Press Release
2) A Fact Sheet for the Senate Version (Clean Power Act)
3) An Action Item
4) A Large Fact Sheet on Power Plant Pollution (focused on coal)
All of these materials will be on our web site at
<www.sierraclub.org/cleanair> later this week.
If you have any questions, contact
Dirk Manskopf
Sierra Club's Environmental Quality Program
408 C Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202/675.7915
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Our Press Release
For Immediate Release: Contact:
March 15, 2001 Ed Hopkins, 202-675-7908
Sierra Club Praises Bills to Clean Up Power Plants Legislation Would Curb
Global Warming, Allow Americans To Breathe Cleaner Air
WASHINGTON -- The Sierra Club today praised a bipartisan group of members of
Congress for introducing legislation to curb global warming and
dramatically clean the air we breathe by cutting power-plant pollution.
Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY)
announced the introduction of the "Clean Smokestacks Act of 2001," while
Senators Jim Jeffords (R-VT), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME) and
Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced the introduction of the Senate companion
bill, the "Clean Power Act of 2001." Today's announcement comes a day after
President George W. Bush reneged on his campaign promise to introduce a
four-pollutant power-plant bill.
"Pollution from old, inefficient power plants kills tens of thousands of
Americans each year and contributes to global warming," said Carl Pope,
Executive Director of the Sierra Club. "Clean air and a safe climate are
basic rights and necessary for all life. These bills move us one step
closer toward protecting Americans' right to breathe freely."
The Clean Power Act and Clean Smokestacks Act would cut power-plant
emissions for four major pollutants by 2007. It would greatly reduce
pollution that makes breathing difficult for people with respiratory
problems, including children with asthma. It would also tackle carbon
dioxide, the key global warming pollutant, which threatens us with dire
environmental calamities. The emission cuts include:
· Smog and soot-forming nitrogen oxides would be cut by 75 percent from
1997 levels
· Acid rain and soot-forming sulfur dioxide would be cut by 75% below
Phase II of the Clean Air Act's Acid Rain Program
· Toxic mercury emissions would be cut by 90 percent from 1999 levels
· Global warming carbon dioxide emissions would return to 1990 levels
In addition, the Clean Power Act and Clean Smokestacks Act would require
every power plant to clean up to the level required for new power plants by
the facility's 30th birthday or five years after enactment of the Act,
whichever is later.
"The President reneged on his campaign promise to curb carbon dioxide
pollution under pressure from the coal companies and power plant owners,"
said Pope. "It is heartening that these members of Congress recognize
Americans demand cleaner air and protection from global warming."
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