This week, people are gathering in Washington, D.C., to tell the Environmental Protection Agency what they think of the Clean Power Plan.

I will not be able to attend the hearings, but if I were, I would proudly declare my support for the proposal to clean up carbon pollution from power plants. Science clearly shows that carbon pollution, much of which comes from coal-fired power plants, contributes to carbon pollution, elevated ozone pollution and global warming.

As a resident of southern Maine and an environmental engineer, I am already concerned about the high ozone levels during summer. Carbon pollution can worsen dangerous ozone pollution.

I’m grateful that the Obama administration has taken steps for the first time in our history to reduce the amount of carbon pollution that can be emitted from power plants.

The Clean Power Plan will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants by up to 30 percent by 2030; this is a powerful step toward improving air quality and protecting public health.

It is critical that these common-sense standards are finalized quickly, and I hope that the public voice in support of the Clean Power Plan will be loud and clear at the hearings. It’s time we stood up for our air quality, because healthy air is too precious not to protect.

Brian Pettingill
Scarborough

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