Political Quotes

“I rise to ask the Senate to protect public health, not polluters, and to protect clean air over corporate profits. Upholding the mercury and air toxics standard means keeping toxic mercury, arsenic, lead, and other pollutants out of our lakes and streams and out of children's lungs. It will prevent 11,000 premature deaths, 5,000 heart attacks, and 130,000 asthma attacks in this country each year after its implementation. For over 20 years polluters have fought these rules and used their influence to create delay after delay in administration after administration. It is time these rules were finally implemented so we can preserve the health of the American people and our Nation's air quality. New Jersey has many residents who are vulnerable to poor air quality. According to the American Lung Association, there are over 184,000 children and 587,000 adults with asthma in New Jersey. It is estimated that these new air toxics standards will prevent up to 320 premature deaths and create up to $2.6 billion in health benefits in New Jersey in 2016 alone. These residents deserve better than to have their health subordinated to the financial interests of corporate executives. Reducing toxic emissions is welcomed by New Jersey's power providers. The Public Service Enterprise Group, PSEG, New Jersey's oldest and largest electric utility, operates several of the powerplants that would be affected by the mercury and air toxic standards.…”