In this challenging time, it’s heartening to see people working together to distribute food, deliver groceries, and ensure our first responders have protective gear. We’re continuing to work for the common good as well, fighting for clean water, pure air, and bountiful forests—and we’re grateful to you, because you make this work possible.
I’m writing today to remind you that your support of Waterkeeper Alliance has done more than make a difference — it’s saved lives.
Thanks to you, Waterkeeper Alliance sued the Environmental Protection Agency in 2008 to require the agency to demand more protective toxic pollution standards for power plants. And thanks to you, we won.
We then supported the Obama administration’s efforts when it finalized a rule to protect our air, water, and health. Since taking effect, those standards have reduced mercury emissions from power plants by 81 percent. When those new standards were put in place in 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency said they would save up to 11,000 lives, prevent 4,700 heart attacks and avert 130,000 asthma attacks — every single year.
At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the lives and respiratory health of people worldwide, the Environmental Protection Agency is, inexplicably, rolling back those lifesaving standards. Scrapping these standards will increase the dangerous mercury, soot, and other toxic pollutants released from coal- and oil-burning power plants.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that, thanks to supporters like you, we’re going to fight to restore those standards and keep saving lives.
This is essential work, and it happens thanks to you.
Remember that one person really can make a difference. You already have.
