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Congresswoman Matsui Opposes GOP Efforts to Train Wreck Clean Air Standards

October 4, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 23, 2011

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Opposes GOP Efforts to Train Wreck Clean Air Standards
Votes Against TRAIN Legislation; Signs Letter in Support of Cross State Air Pollution Control Rule

Today, Congresswoman Matsui asserted her opposition to the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation (TRAIN) Act, which would gut the Clean Air Act and endanger public health. The bill creates a redundant, bureaucratic review process for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards that will only further limit the Agency's ability to act on behalf of the wellbeing of the American people. The TRAIN Act indefinitely delays two crucial Clean Air Act standards the Utility Air Toxics and the Cross-State Air Pollution standards that reduce toxic air pollution like mercury, acid gases and cancer-causing dioxins.

Congresswoman Matsui voted against this legislation during full committee mark up in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, on which she serves, and signed onto a letter sent to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in support of a new Cross State Air Pollution Control rule that would help counteract some of the harmful effects of the TRAIN Act. Congresswoman Matsui voted against this legislation again today, when it came to before the full House of Representatives, passing on a 249-169 vote.

This appalling piece of legislation would put tens of thousands of lives in danger. Stalling the implementation of the Utility Air Toxics and the Cross-State Air Pollution standards would make Sacramentans much more susceptible to serious health problems including heart attacks, asthma attacks, lung infections, chronic bronchitis and cancer, stated Congresswoman Matsui.

Studies have shown that implementing Clean Air Act regulations does not result in major financial burdens being placed on utility companies. In fact, companies found that enacting these regulations spurred innovation, investment, job creation and provided economic security. The two rules targeted in TRAIN Act could help to create up to 1.5 million jobs by 2015 and the Utility Toxics Rule alone could create $139 billion in annual economic benefits.

The standards this ill-conceived bill blocks indefinitely would help save Americans from considerable health and financial hardship if fully implemented. In the first year alone, passage of the TRAIN Act could result in up to 25,300 deaths due to smog, soot, and toxic air pollution; more than 11,000 hearts attacks; more than 120,000 asthma attacks; over 12,200 more hospital and emergency visits; and many hundreds of thousands more days of missed work or school.

Just yesterday, Environment California released a report showing Sacramento as the 10th smoggiest metropolitan city in the nation, which only reiterates the need to maintain strong clean air standards.

As a Sacramento resident, I see firsthand the harmful effects of the toxic air pollution and smog that accumulates in the absence of clean air regulations, Matsui added. Not only do these standards curb air pollution and save lives, but they also save Americans billions of dollars in emergency room visits and increased health care costs. We must ensure this harmful legislation never becomes law.

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