Rules issued by the U.S. EPA last March fall far short of requiring best available technology to reduce emissions from power plants. Also in March, a state Senate committee approved a bill to clean up our oldest power plants, but it was later killed by a House committee. Since then, MaryPIRG has been working to expand our coalition and conduct research on the importance of reducing air pollution.

The Maryland Nurses Association, the Maryland Lung Association and Physicians for Social Responsibility are our newest partners in supporting the Healthy Air Act, which will be introduced again in January.

Pollution from coal-fired power plants is doing irreversible damage to our lungs, hearts and brains, as well as our waterways, wildlife and ecosystems.

Smog and soot cause asthma attacks and lead to heart failure. Exposure to mercury gives our children learning disabilities. Carbon dioxide building up in our atmosphere is causing global warming. Also, excessive nitrogen pollution in the air makes its way to the Chesapeake Bay when it rains, exacerbating the dead zone.