The Trump administration just relaxed standards on toxic wastewater discharges from coal power plants -- a decision that increases our risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals in our water. Tell the EPA: We need limits on these toxic pollutants. TAKE ACTION:
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Bad news, Anonymous --
The Trump administration is rolling back crucial limits on toxic pollution dumped into our rivers by coal-fired power plants.
Laced with toxics such as lead, mercury and arsenic, wastewater from these plants can end up in drinking water sources. Yet, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just decided to allow these facilities to dump more toxic substances into our waterways -- a move that directly threatens public health.[1]
We're calling on the EPA to do its job and protect Americans from exposure to toxic pollutants. Add your name today.
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When coal is burned, it releases toxic substances such as arsenic, mercury and selenium. These chemicals have been linked to serious health issues including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and developmental problems for children.[2]
When Clean Air Act protections required power plants to stop releasing much of these toxics from their smokestacks, facilities started dumping them into our rivers instead. The Obama administration then set new standards that would have cut water pollution from power plants by 1.4 billion pounds over the next few years.[3]
But the Trump administration just scaled back these requirements, pushed back compliance deadlines, and even exempted some plants from the regulations entirely.[4]
Tell the EPA: Weaker standards for toxic wastewater treatment put our health at risk.
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By the EPA's own estimates, power plants are the country's third-largest source of toxic wastewater.[5]
With this rollback, the Trump administration is prioritizing the interests of industry lobbyists over public health in its environmental policymaking. The EPA should be protecting us from harmful chemical pollutants, not relaxing regulations on them.
Take action today to stand up against toxic pollution from coal plants.
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Thank you,
Faye Park
President
1. Emily Holden, "Trump weakens Obama-era rules on toxic wastewater from coal plants," The Guardian, August 31, 2020.
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2. Emily Holden, "Trump weakens Obama-era rules on toxic wastewater from coal plants," The Guardian, August 31, 2020.
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3. Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Amena Saiyid, "Trump Relaxes Limits on Toxic Waste from Coal Power Plants," Bloomberg News, August 31, 2020.
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4. Lisa Friedman, "E.P.A. Relaxes Rules Limiting Toxic Waste From Coal Plants," The New York Times, August 31, 2020.
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5. Emily Holden, "Trump weakens Obama-era rules on toxic wastewater from coal plants," The Guardian, August 31, 2020.
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