EPA Testimony of Rosalyn and Alan Hantman: July 30, 2014

Rosalyn Hantman Alan M. Hantman, FAIA One Horizon Road 10th Architect of the U.S. Capitol Fort Lee, NJ 07024 One Horizon Road Cell: 202-669-2984 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 rozziehantman 

### @gmail.com Cell: 202-731-4800 amhC@amhantma 

### n.com RH: Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you. My name is Rosalyn Hantman. I'm retired frorn my position at Columbia University where I served as the Director of Organization Development, and am the very proud grandparent of six curious, sensitive and bright young people ranging in ages 2 to 19 (This is Lila). I'm here today because I'm very worried about the choices our grandchildren will inherit, choices that will be severely limited by a future that will be defined by increasingly poor air quality and by rising seas, unless concerted action is taken today.

AMH: Good afternoon. My name is Alan Hantman, Rosalyn and I have been married for 49 years. We believe that there is much that can be done to improve the environment for all our children and grandchildren - and I present one very positive example.

I am the former Architect of the U.S. Capitol appointed by President Clinton in 1997 and confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.

1During my tenure, from 1997 to 2007, I was responsible for a 2,300

person Legislative branch agency and all the government buildings on Capitol Hill. This included the Capitol Power Plant for which I commissioned an environmental study that recommended, given the plant's location in the densely populated Washington DC metropolitan area, that natural gas should become its primary fuel. During my tenure we began the conversion from 100% coal utilization by incorporating a tri-fuel operating philosophy that significantly cut down on plant emissions.

This transition has continued after the completion of my term of office. The power plant now generates its steam and chilled water through the use of 98% natural gas. In fact, plans are moving ahead towards the creation of co-generation facilities that will create even greater efficiencies in the production of steam and electricity. This demonstrates that good things can be accomplished in reasonable stages.
With the cost of natural gas coming down to one third of the price it had been when this conversion began, this initiative is resulting in very significant savings in the cost of fuels used for Capitol Hill's needs, while minimizing its environmental impact in Washington DC.

RH: As you are aware, the U.S. National Climate Assessment was completed 3 months ago by a team of more than 300 experts. Their findings included clear data on warming trends, major droughts, and sea

2levels that are projected to rise 1 to 4 feet depending on future

greenhouse gas emissions. All. of these projections will significantly affect millions of American families like ours. lt shows that we need major positive action now, to protect our children and grandchildren.

Our eldest granddaughter is an A student in college. She has grown up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania - in a state that is the fourth leading producer of coal in our country, and in a county that has received a failing grade in the American Lung Association's 2014 State of the Air Report. She has suffered from asthma since she was 10 years old and her condition has been exacerbated by air pollution. She must bring her nebulizer to class to help relieve wheezing and tightness in her chest. Clean air is not optional. Tackling climate change will clean up our air and help tackle asthma.

We live in Fort Lee, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, and have personally seen how raging storms, including Hurricane Sandy, have washed over the shores of Edgewater, New Jersey - a town that lies below our home. We have witnessed storms that are far less catastrophic play havoc with commercial and residential properties on both sides of the Hudson River. We are concerned that based on the predictions of experts, climate change will restrict choices of where all of our grandchildren may choose to live and work.

AMH: The EPA's Clean Power Plan will be a very important part of the package of smart energy solutions, which should include renewable

3energy sources. We need to provide reliable and affordable electricity

that does not compromise our health, our climate and our freedom. We cannot trade the health of all of our children and grandchildren and that of generations to come for the short-term economic concerns raised by industries that benefit from the status quo.

In closing, we ask that the EPA gb even further than the proposed 30% carbon emissions reduction target and increase the reduction target to 40% or even 50% by 2020.

RH: Thank you very much for the opportunity to share our deep

concerns.

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