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Attention Virginia Alpha's
UPDATE on Virginia Legislation
Virginia Clean Smokestacks Act Carried Over til' 2005. This session Delegate Jack Reid introduced legislation to require the clean up of old, coal-fired power plants across the Commonwealth. The legislation is modeled after a similar law passed in North Carolina in 2002. The Virginia legislation would by 2015 reduce sulfur dioxide emissions 88% and nitrogen oxide emissions 75% from 2001 emission levels. It would also require mercury emission reductions of 90% by 2008. Delegate Reid has agreed to work with stakeholders over the next few months to craft legislation for introduction in 2005. Pollution from power plants puts at risk the lives and health of millions of Virginians. Pollution from under-controlled, coal-fired power plants in Virginia and upwind states has been estimated to cause over 1,000 deaths, 28,000 asthma attacks, and 246,000 lost work days every year in Virginia.
Thank you to all the Virginians who wrote concerning this bill.
Let's clear the air in Virginia by supporting Clean Smokestacks legislation that will clean up the old, under-controlled power plants across the Commonwealth.
Tell your legislator to fight for clean air, to stand up for our most vulnerable populations affected by air pollution, infants and children, the elderly and those living with lung and heart disease (Alpha's) by supporting House Bill 1472, the Virginia Clean Smokestacks Act. Introduced by Delegate Jack Reid the legislation will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 88% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 75% based on 2001 emission levels by 2015. The legislation will also require mercury emission reductions of 90% by 2008. The proposal will allow utilities to recover the costs associated with the cleanup and retire any emission allowances created through these reductions that could be traded between states.
Please take action by February 18, 2004.
Your letter should be addressed and sent to:
Your Delegate (if you live in VA)
Your State Senator (if you live in VA)
Delegate and or State Senator:
If you prefer to write your representative by email, you may use the following link to sent this letter: http://lungaction.org/campaign/cleansmokestack
Dear Virginia Delegate (enter Name), or
Dear Virginia State Senator (enter Name),
I am writing to urge your support for Virginia Clean Smokestacks legislation (HB 1472) that will clean up the old, under-controlled power plants across the Commonwealth.
Pollution from power plants puts at risk the lives and health of millions of Virginians. In fact, 3 million Virginians are breathing unhealthy levels of ozone air pollution according to the American Lung Association State of the Air 2003 report. More than 40,000 children with asthma live in 17 counties and cities that received a grade of F for smog, according to the report.
The Virginia Clean Smokestacks legislation will reduce air pollution that contributes to the formation of smog and soot. Based on 2001 emissions, the legislation will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 88% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 75%. It will also require mercury emission reductions of 90% by 2008. The proposal will allow utilities to recover the costs associated with the cleanup and retire any emission allowances created through these reductions that could be traded between states. Requiring these plants to install modern pollution control equipment may be the most efficient way to substantially assist Virginia in protecting public health and achieving attainment of new air quality standards for smog and soot.
I urge you to support HB 1472 and stand up for our most vulnerable populations affected by air pollution, infants and children, the elderly and those living with lung and heart disease, such as myself who has a terminal lung condition called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AlAD).
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
Telephone: 540-948-6777 or 1-866-FOR-A1AA (1-866-367-2122) Fax # 540-948-6763
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