As a physician with an asthma and allergy practice, I applaud Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling for standing up for the health of Maine families by joining 235 other mayors across the country in opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan.

The Clean Power Plan would provide lifesaving air pollution reductions and put the first-ever federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants. Revoking the plan would give power plants a license to pollute, putting at greater risk the health of our most vulnerable populations, including children, older adults and those with lung disease.

Climate change is already harming the health of our families, especially those living with asthma and other lung diseases. Without action to limit the pollution that drives climate change, warmer temperatures will continue to worsen smog and particle pollution, which causes asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes and even premature deaths.

Fortunately, Portland has long been a leader committed to fighting climate change. Last June, the City Council’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee made a commitment to revamp the 2008 Municipal Climate Action Plan for the city of Portland and to prepare a plan to get Portland to 100 percent clean energy by 2040.

A core component of the fight against climate change needs to be done at the local level, as Portland is doing, but federal pollution limits like the Clean Power Plan are also essential. Thank you, Mayor Strimling, for speaking out against clean air rollbacks and working to protect the health of our families here in Portland and in Maine.

Dr. Marguerite Pennoyer

member, Leadership Board, American Lung Association in Maine

Scarborough