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New Research Connects Soot Pollution to Alzheimer’s Disease

People exposed to higher levels of fine particulate matter, or soot, are more likely to experience Alzheimer’s disease, new research released this week finds.

States and Industry Groups Fight to Pollute their Neighbors Before the Supreme Court

Today, the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments from polluting states and industry groups seeking to stop implementation of EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan.

Republican Politicians Bring Back “Smoggy Skies Act” to Gut Clean Air Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, congressional Republicans continued their efforts to prioritize polluters over people by holding an Energy and Commerce Committee legislative hearing on a new version of the “Smoggy Skies Act,” legislation to gut the Clean Air Act's public health protections. 

House Republicans Recycle Disproven Reliability Claims to Prop Up Fossil Fuels

Washington, D.C. –  At a U.S.

Sierra Club Pennsylvania Celebrates New EPA Soot Standards

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its long-awaited National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter (PM2.5) -- commonly known as soot -- which will lower the annual standard from 12 mcg/m3 to 9 mcg/m3. Soot pollution is shown to increase the risk of asthma, heart attacks, stroke, cancer, and premature death, and nationally, this new standard is expected to prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths, 290,000 lost workdays per year, and result in as much as $43 billion in net health benefits in 2032.

EPA Strengthens Soot Standard, Saving Thousands of Lives and Billions of Dollars

Today, the EPA released updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter (PM2.5), taking a positive and long-awaited step toward addressing a dangerous and deadly air pollutant responsible for over 100,000 deaths in the United States every year.

Sierra Club Statement on Ramped Up Industry Lobbying of EPA Clean Vehicle Regulations

Washington, DC – Ahead of a set of important vehicle regulations being finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) soon, car dealerships and the truck industry are ramping up their lobbying of the agency to adopt weak standards and allow more pollution from cars and heavy trucks.

EPA Proposes Trump-era Policy to Weaken Air Permit Reviews

Yesterday, the EPA proposed to move forward with a Trump-era policy that narrows the scope of what the agency can examine when they review air operating permits, reducing the depth and quality of EPA’s review of air permits.

Lawsuit Launched to Reduce Asthma-Causing Sulfur Air Pollution in 11 States, Two U.S. Territories

The Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club filed notice today of their intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to ensure that areas in 11 states and two U.S. territories have effective plans for cleaning up sulfur dioxide air pollution.

To Deliver on U.S. Climate Commitments, Biden Administration Must Finalize Strong Clean Vehicle Rules

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – On the United Nations’ Climate Conference of the Parties (COP28) Transportation Day, December 6, the Sierra Club is calling on the Biden administration to adopt strong clean vehicle standards to advance the U.S. away from polluting cars, trucks, and buses.

Sierra Club PA Applauds New EPA Methane Rule

Washington, DC -- Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final Clean Air Act protections against methane and other harmful pollution from the oil and gas industry, a major win for climate and public health. These safeguards strengthen standards for new equipment and also include the first-ever standards for existing equipment, which has been a major priority for the Sierra Club.

New Research on Coal Pollution Deaths Underscores Urgent Need to Move Beyond Coal

Pollution from coal-fired power plants across the United States was responsible for at least 460,000 deaths over the past two decades, causing twice as many premature deaths as previously estimated, new research reveals.