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Statement

STATEMENT OF KRISTIN ROWE-FINKBEINER, Executive Director of MomsRising.org, On Proposed EPA Rule Limiting Toxic Pollutants

April 19, 2013

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

America’s Moms Applaud Proposed EPA Rule Protecting Families From Toxic Pollutants
“Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule that will go a long way in protecting the health of our environment and our families. That rule includes the first-ever federal limits on the discharge of toxic pollutants including mercury, lead, arsenic, selenium, nitrogen and others into America’s waterways. It would also lower families’ and children’s exposure to these toxic chemicals that seep into the environment from power plants.
 
“Regulations addressing these kinds of chemicals have not been updated since 1982 and are in dire need of updating.  Current regulations don’t control for the type and amount of pollutants being released by electrical utilities today.
 
“These toxins put our families at risk for neurological damage and cancer. They threaten the circulatory system, kidneys and liver. Each year, power plants that burn coal for electricity release roughly 130 million tons of hazardous waste that ends up in our lakes and rivers, poisoning our water and our waterways.
 
“Toxic heavy metals don’t break down in the environment, so they can also contaminate sediment in waterways. They harm aquatic and other wildlife, and are responsible for the widespread die-off of fish.
 
“At MomsRising.org, we have more than a million members who believe we must protect the environment to keep our families healthy. We strongly support the EPA’s proposed rule to combat toxic pollutants and improve environmental safety.” 
 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.