DNC Council On Environment and Climate Crisis: Biden Administration Action On Soot Will Save Lives And Help Environment

Statement of Michelle Deatrick, Chair of the DNC Council On The Environment and Climate Crisis:

“Today’s action by the Biden Harris Administration is a big deal. It will save lives and help the environment. Soot sickens and kills people and disproportionately harms children, our elders, people of color, and low-income communities.  The new limits will save thousands of lives every year, improve the health of hundreds of thousands, and give our children a more vibrant future.

“The improvement in air quality will help all people and communities, especially those in frontline, pollution-burdened communities. According to the American Lung Association, nearly 64 million Americans live in counties with soot pollution that spikes to unhealthy levels; almost 19 million live in counties surpassing annual soot pollution limits. And people of color are 61% more likely to live in counties with unhealthy air quality.

“This and the Inflation Reduction Act are prime examples of this President’s leadership in both protecting our nation’s health and addressing the climate crisis. 

“We applaud the Administration for this bold and life saving action.”