Contact: Jim DiPeso, (253) 740-2066
REP America, the national grassroots organization of Republicans for environmental protection, praised the new diesel cleanup standards proposed by EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman.
"Once adopted, the new rules will significantly improve air quality, which will save both lives and money," said REP America Policy Director Jim DiPeso. "Administrator Whitman did a great job pulling the proposal together and giving it top priority."
The proposed rules would reduce harmful pollution from non-road diesel equipment, such as bulldozers, tractors, and small generators. The new standards, to be fully in force by 2014, would clean up both diesel engines and diesel fuel.
"Reducing pollution is good for public health and for the American economy. By 2030, the new rules will save nearly 10,000 lives per year and save up to $80 billion in health care, lost work time, and other costs," DiPeso said.
Diesel pollution is a known public health and environmental hazard. Diesel fumes contain more than 450 substances, including sooty particles and airborne toxins linked to cancer and many respiratory ailments. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to harm from diesel pollution.
Diesel exhaust contains nitrogen oxides that form unhealthy ozone smog. Diesel fuel contains sulfur, which forms unhealthy particles, acid rain, and unsightly hazes.
"Administrator Whitman's diesel cleanup proposal is pro-health, pro-environment, pro-economy, and pro-family. She has set a strong benchmark for sound environmental policymaking," DiPeso said.
