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ALBANY, NY – Congressman Paul D. Tonko resorted to science and facts in his reaction to the Trump Administration today after its release of a proposed rule weakening clean energy standards allowing for more carbon pollution that could lead to as many as 1,400 more premature deaths in the U.S. every year.

“This proposal not only ignores the clear and growing threat of climate change, it exposes countless New York families and communities to real dangers from air pollution,” said Tonko. “In New York, we rely on science and evidence to set standards; yet we have suffered the consequences of cross-state air pollution for decades. We simply cannot afford a piecemeal approach to protecting our air, our environment and the health of our families and communities. Directing the market to put a price on carbon is the answer, not exposing children, seniors and the rest of us to greater health risks from pollution and extreme weather.”

EPA’s own technical analysis of the proposal notes that “implementing the proposed rule is expected to increase emissions of carbon dioxide and the level of emissions of certain pollutants in the atmosphere that adversely affect human health.”

The new proposal will replace the previous Obama-era Clean Power Plan, which EPA estimated would have reduced sulfur dioxide emissions by 90% and nitrogen oxides by 72% by 2030 as compared to 2005 levels. Other benefits of the now-scrapped plan would have included:

• 3,600 fewer premature deaths
• 1,700 fewer heart attacks
• 90,000 fewer asthma attacks
• 300,000 fewer missed work days and school days

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