Environmental Protection Agency Hearing-Thursday, May 24th, 2012 Re: Carbon Pollution StandardforNewPower Plants Presented by Kimberly Williams, Manager, Advocacy and Communications American LungAssociation serving North Carolina, Virginia, the DistrictofColumbia andMaryland

Good morning, my name is Kimberly Williams and Iam the ManagerofAdvocacy and Communications for the American Lung Association serving North Carolina, Virginia, the DistrictofColumbia, and Maryland. I am pleased tojoin my colleagues from the national office ofthe American Lung Association in support ofthe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed standards for carbon pollution from power plants. This rule is an important and historic opportunityfor protecting public health. We are pleased that EPA has proposed the first national standards to address power plant carbon pollution. There is no reason whythis pollution should not be regulated in the same manner as other pollutants like those linked to smog and soot. This rule will also help address the negative health impacts resulting from smog which is especially good news for North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland. In North Carolina, there are 206,700 children with asthma; 73,700 ofthem living in an area where ozone levels received afailing grade in the American Lung Association's State ofthe Air 2012 report. In Virginia, there are 153,000 children with asthma; 51,000, orone-third ofthem living in an area that fails due to unsafe levels ofozone. The DistrictofColumbia also received afailing grade and there are 18,103 children with asthma. Additionally of importance to note, the Washington Metropolitan Area ranked 13th most polluted in the nation for high ozone days. Lastly, in Maryland, there are 160,200 children with asthma; 117,600, or nearly three quarters ofthem living in a countythat fails the ozone test. Scientists say that buildup ofcarbon pollution will likely lead to increases in temperatures which, in turn, could lead to more ozone orsmog in the air. This is why it is importantthat EPA begin to address carbon pollution. You have heard it before, but it bears repeating: more smog means more childhood asthma attacks and complications for those with lung disease. The truth is even healthy, active adults can be negatively affected by air pollution. Take for instance my own personal story. Iwas born in Fayetteville, Arkansas which is located in Washington County and received a lettergrade of Bfor ozone pollution in the Lung Association's recently released State ofthe Air report. I have been active almost my entire life; running, hiking, rock climbing, etc. all with littleto no trouble. Four years ago I moved to the DistrictofColumbia, which received afailing grade for ozone pollution, and there was anoticeable change in the ease at which Icould perform these activities, especially during the warmer months. I began to notice that my throat felt constricted and Iwas having difficultytakingthe deep breaths needed to sustain my typical level ofactivity. Over time the symptomsworsened and myshortness of breath became more frequent. On high ozone days, even my daily Metro commute to and from work would exacerbate the difficulty Iwas having breathing. Eventually, Iwas diagnosed with asthma and to control my various symptomswas placed on three separate medications by my physician. As ayoung woman who has focused on living a healthy lifestyle and being active, it is both frustrating and troublesome that I have been diagnosed with asthma and now have to take a daily medication to maintain my active lifestyle. Unfortunately, my story is all too common forthose in the Washington MetropolitanArea where we are living with unhealthy levels ofozone. In closing, the proposed rule is an important step to ensure thatthe plants ofthe future are as clean as they possibly can be. Ifwe don't enact these standards, we run the risk ofshort changing the health and wellbeing offuture generations. The national office ofthe American Lung Association will be submitting more detailed written comments, but Itake this opportunityto urge EPA to lower the emissions limitto meetwhat the cleanest plants in operation emit, eliminate exemptions and do not have incentivesfor coal plants that go beyond 2020. Also, I ask that EPA begin the process ofdeveloping standardsto cover existing sources as well. Thank you forthe opportunityto testify here today and I urge you to please finalize this rule before the end ofthe year.