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NEW ORLEANS – As part of a National Clean Air Day, groups in New Orleans held an “I ‘HEART’ Clean Air” Rally on March 17th.  The event, one of dozens being held nationwide, brought together the Sierra Club, Louisiana Lung Association, 1Sky, Alliance for Affordable Energy, Gulf Restoration Network, Lower Ninth Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, Mary Queen of Vietnam Community Development Corporation, Students from the School at Blair Grocery and university students to support efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen safeguards against smog under the Clean Air Act.  With a 40 year track record of successfully reducing pollution while allowing economic growth the Clean Air Act proposal will bring significant reductions in dangerous smog, which comes from sources like coal-fired power plants and industrial sites.

“The new smog limits will help us all breathe a little easier,” said Jordan Macha, Conservation Organizer for the Sierra Club.  “It’s time to start cleaning up Louisiana and moving away from dirty energy sources, like the proposed Nucor Steel coal-fired power plant in St. James Parish, and transitioning to cleaner energy options.”

In Louisiana, the new standards will place 17 Parishes out of ozone attainment levels, including Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles and St. James Parish.  The Greater Baton Rouge area will remain out of attainment.  This event highlights the need to invest in cleaner, alternative energy sources while transitioning away from dirty fossil fuels.  

Citizens gathered and formed “I ‘HEART’ Clean Air”, sending a big message to the EPA to show their support for the new ozone standards.  The new standards would lessen air pollution across Louisiana and provide a healthier environment and create incentives for cleaner industries in the state.

“Clean air is not just an environmental issue; it’s also a health issue, an economic issue and an environmental justice issue. Moms, people with asthma, people who just enjoy the outdoors—everyone wants to be able to breathe worry free,” said Macha.

EPA’s proposal calls for the primary limit for ozone, or smog, to be lowered to between 60 and 70 parts per billion—within the range that doctors and scientists say is protective of human health. The agency is also proposing to lower the secondary limit, which helps to lessen environmental problems like haze. 

The Sierra Club would like to see the standards set at the more protective limits for both the primary and secondary standards. These lower levels will do the most to protect public health and help ensure that our natural places, and the economies that rely on them, are protected. 

The agency is taking public comment on the proposed rule until March 22nd. 

For more on the proposed rule and national events visit: www.sieraclub.org/bigpicture