SierraScape February - March 2011
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by Becky Denney
Conservation Committee Chair

EPA will propose or finalize rules in the next 2 years that deal with both coal burning plants and oil-burning vehicles. There will be public comment periods and hearings across the country so that all stakeholders--the public, NGO's, industry groups, and companies--can be involved. Some of the rulemaking concerns industries which most of us aren't very familiar with. But the Sierra Club sends updates so we can track which rules will be coming up and how the impacts from this industrial pollution affects us or other species. These rules concern chemicals and pollutants that are being released into the air and water and are especially dangerous to young children and older folks. The EPA studied these pollutants and determined that they do cause public health problems.

We, Missourians, have a chance to support the EPA this year and next as they finally pass rules to limit air and water pollutants that affects the quality of life of each American. The rules, taken as a group, have the potential to protect many of us so we don't require as much "healthcare" because greenhouse gases, ozone, mercury, air particulates and irresponsible water use will be reduced.

The U.S. Forest Service says in their National Roadmap for Responding to Climate Change:

. ."Most of the urgent forest and grassland management challenges of the past 20 years, such as wildfires, changing water regimes, and expanding forest insect infestations, have been driven, in part, by a changing climate. Future impacts are projected to be even more severe."

On January 10 the Kansas City Star reported that U.S. intelligence officials list the spread of disease as the top climate change-related security concern. The other top concerns due to climate change were food and water scarcity and impact of extreme weather on transportation and communications systems. The point of the article was that some of our U.S. agencies are working to help the U.S. and other countries adapt to the impacts of climate change but aren't doing enough for the effects they are already seeing.

Decreases in greenhouse gases and other pollutants will decrease global warming in our world. Less planning and money will be needed for programs to adapt to climate change if Americans emit less carbon. Your voice in support of EPA's rulemaking as the American agency does it job, must be heard. To do that you do not need to travel to Washington to testify before Congress or meet with Senator McCaskill. In fact, you can support Sierra Club actions with e-mails and phone calls from your own home.

One rule that EPA will propose in February will set new standards for soot (particulate matter). Combustion of fossil fuels is the biggest source of these dangerous particles. Another rule that will be proposed in March will reduce mercury emissions from power plants. We citizens have a chance to ensure that industries produce their product but no longer contribute to public health problems.

To support EPA through the Sierra Club, e-mail me: Becky.Denney@sierraclub.org.