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Repeal of the Clean Power Plan Is a Step in the Wrong Direction for Protecting the Public’s Health

The National Association of County and City Health Officials Opposes Repeal of the Clean Power Plan

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, October 10, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), representing nearly 3,000 local health departments, opposes the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan. Evidence has repeatedly shown reducing carbon emissions saves lives and supports good health. The EPA proposal still has to go through the public comment process and will likely be challenged by environmental groups and some states.

“If fully implemented, the Clean Power Plan would have reduced carbon pollution from power plants and prevented an estimated 90,000 asthma attacks, 1,700 heart attacks, and 3,600 premature deaths each year, when fully implemented. One in 12 adults and one in 11 children have asthma. Local public health departments exist to promote and protect the public’s health, and repeal of the Clean Power Plan will lead to devastating health consequences in communities throughout the country,” said NACCHO Interim Executive Director and Chief of Government Affairs Laura Hanen, MPP.

Repeal of the Clean Power Plan would be deleterious in other ways. Elevated levels of ozone and air pollution from higher temperatures can lead to worsening wildfires, such as those now threatening and destroying West Coast communities. Hotter air temperatures and longer summers due to increased carbon pollution and other emissions increase the risk of mosquito and tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease. In addition, a changing climate threatens the more vulnerable among us, including children, seniors, those living in low-income communities, and minorities.

Hanen said, “As public health professionals, our role will always be to achieve better health outcomes. Because the state of the environment is so closely tied to public health, protecting our communities from the impacts of climate change is, perhaps now more than ever, a top priority for us, our members, and our partners. NACCHO has long championed the Clean Power Plan and will submit comments conveying our strong opposition to the EPA proposal.”

To learn more about how local public health departments protect communities from climate change, click here.

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About NACCHO
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the nation's nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit www.naccho.org.

Theresa Spinner
National Association of County and City Health Officials
202-783-5551
email us here