Eco Anchor NYC NYC environmental news, events and resources
The 112th House of Representatives has already made history as the single most anti-environmental House in U.S. history. Over the last two years, we have had to beat back a seemingly endless assault on our right to breathe clean air and maintain a safe and healthy environment.
And now, the U.S. House is at it again. In a cynical effort to score political points, House leadership has repackaged many of these previous environmental assaults into a single bill and has scheduled a vote on its “Stop the War on Coal Act of 2012” as one of its final actions before recessing for the November elections.
The so-called “Stop the War on Coal Act” is really a war on our right to breathe clean, healthy air that won’t kill us or make us sick. Among other things, this bill would:
- Block recently finalized federal standards that protect our kids from mercury and other toxic pollution from power plants
- Block new fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks that will save consumers $8000 in fuel costs over the life of the vehicle
- Prevent EPA from ever doing anything to limit global warming pollutions from cars, power plants, or other major polluters.
What’s more, House leadership knows full-well this bill has no chance to pass the Senate. And President Obama has vowed to veto it.
This isn’t about responsible government. Instead of addressing real problems like a balanced approach for addressing the deficit that avoids the fiscal cliff this January, the House is wasting time on a manufactured “War on Coal” and recycling its radical, ideological assault on bedrock environmental standards that protect our kids and communities and promote a safer climate future.
Together, we will always stand up for stronger environmental standards and reject the radical assault on our right to clean air and a safer environment. Thank you for all you do,
Heather Shelby
Action Network Coordinator