US Climate and Health Alliance

Child Health and State EPA Clean Power Plan Implementation

Abstract

Outdoor air pollution is linked to respiratory problems in children, including decreased lung function, coughing, wheezing, more frequent respiratory illness, and asthma exacerbation. In 1970, Congress passed the federal Clean Air Act to address these and other concerns about America’s worsening air quality.The Clean Air Act is now being extended to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, with final rulemaking underway. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Power Plan seeks to allow states to meet carbon reduction targets via 1 or more state-determined compliance strategies. These actions are essential to limit immediate impacts on child respiratory health and in curtailing global climate change.While Clean Power Plan implementation activities by EPA have been delayed by a US Supreme Court Ruling, states can continue to plan for implementation and work with regulators and power producers to limit carbon emissions.

Resource Type
Factsheet/pamphlet
Author
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Resource URL
https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/state-advocacy/Documents/State%20Clean%20Power%20Plans.pdf
Date
March 2016
Organization Type
Ngo
Health and Human Impact
Overview/general
Climate and Environmental Impact
Air pollution
Emission Sources
Conventional energy Energy Conventional
Fossil Fuel
Coal
Solution
Climate mitigation/GHG reduction

Resources main page