Sign Petition: Reduce Pollution in Low Income Communities

From Conservation Voters of PA (http://www.conservationpa.org):

Low-income neighborhoods suffer more from pollution because residents can’t afford to move away from power plants or factories.

That’s why we’re supporting a new program being developed by the EPA – it would focus on reducing carbon pollution in areas that suffer at higher rates.

Add your name to tell the EPA you support this plan and to ensure it benefits the communities that need it the most at https://secure3.convio.net/lcv/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=3577.

Carbon pollution from power plants that drives climate change is also increasing the number of kids with asthma – but the problem is worse for families living in low-income neighborhoods.¹

Neighborhoods closest to power plants, highways, and factories tend to be more affordable for low-income families, but they also have terrible air quality. This is why low-income families are at much higher risk of getting sick from pollution.²

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a new program to cut pollution and energy costs by investing in more clean energy and improving energy efficiency. Families across the state will benefit. It’s a really important first step, but the plan isn’t perfect. If enough of us speak up, we can ensure the plan focuses on the communities that need the most help.

Tell the EPA we support its plan to encourage more clean energy production and cut pollution in our most vulnerable communities. Sign the petition and add your name.

The same Pennsylvania power plants that release carbon pollution killed roughly 2,300 people last year.³ And considering that every coal and waste-coal power plant in Pennsylvania is located near a poor neighborhood, the people whose health is at the highest risk have the least amount of power to fight back.⁴

That’s why the EPA’s program could be a game changer if it’s done right.⁵ First, it would help low-income families pay to install solar energy and make their homes energy efficient. Second, jobs would be created through the development and installation of these projects. Third, it would increase the amount of clean energy states produce, which means we’d need to rely less on power plants that are killing Pennsylvania families.

Tell the EPA you strongly support its new Clean Energy Incentive Program and to ensure it benefits low-income communities that are at greatest risk.

Thanks for all that you do to fight for clean air, water, and public lands.

1 – “Pollution is segregated, too,” The Washington Post, April 15, 2014.
2 – “Pollution Inequality in America Even Worse Than Income Inequality,” Alternet, October 3, 3014.
3 – “Pollution from power plants in two states killed thousands of people last year,” Grist, July 15, 2016.
4 – “Support the Clean Energy Incentive Program,” Clean Air Council.
5 – “Clean Power Plan offers chance to right past injustices, advocates say,” Midwest Energy News, August 8, 2016.