Dorthea Thomas Detroit, Ml dortheathomasl@gmaiI.com 313-704-4655 Good afternoon, my name is Dorthea Thomas, I'm here onbehalfofthe NAACP Michigan State Conference As the Environmental Justice Colead and advocate ofconservation and sustainability management. I'm from the heart ofthe city that is known for it's bad air quality, Detroit MI. But my grand parents are from here from Chicago, IL. I'm am the Grand daughter ofDorothy Ervin, a envangelist and woman ofministry that was loved and cherished in her community yet pasted away from Lympnoia Cancer because ofthe toxins that existed in the air ofher community. Ifthe efforts ofthe EPA are enforced, this could significantly reduce mercury, soot and smog pollution, announcing historic new emissions standards that combined could save 46,000 lives a year. I watched her suffer until her death, wishing there was a way to escape the environment exposurejustto prolong her life a little while longer. The only advice her doctor gave her was to move to another, cleaner, and safer environment. Yet, because ofourcurrentcircumstances she was financial incapable ofleaving everything she had worked hard all her life to own. My grandfather had always loved to fish and enjoy the weather on bright sunny days. But, now he's too afraid to go out for too long because ofthe quality ofour air. After Years offishing in the Belle Isle River and surtonding lakes, after coming across a fish infested with cancerius disease, not only was the love ofhis life and wife taken away from him but his hobby and quality oflife was now shattered too. Coal-fired power plants spewhundreds ofthousands ofpounds oftoxic mercury into our air every year, which falls to earthin the fmm ofrain and contaminatesrivers, lakes and streams. And it doesn' t take much mercury to have a big impact on ourhealth. Scientists found that a single gram ofmercury can contaminate an entire 20-acre lake. My grandparents done all they could do to raise me in the most loving, safe and up right way. One day, i wish to start my own family but I want to feel comfortable knowing that my children and family is born into an all round healthy society.Passage ofthe Carbon Pollution Standards will ensure that communities worldwide will not face new threats from plantsthat will degrade their health today and the future to come. At least I in 12, and as many as I in 6 American women ofchildbearing age have enough mercury in their bodies to puta baby at risk for mercury poisoning. Mercury and other dangerous airpollutants are connected to extreme health problems: brain damage, learning disabilities, birth defects, heart disease, cancer and even pre-mature death. Mercury impairs 3,781 bodies ofwater across the country. More than 6 million acres oflakes, reservoirs, and ponds in the United States are contaminated by mercury pollution.With the help ofthe EPA and political backing, we can save 46,000 lives!As we oureffortsto continue to constantly work closely with our allies in the public health community, lobbyingkey senators, andthousands ofactivists, we can stand up for our future, present, and generations to come. The carbonrule prevents 123 billionpounds ofcarbonpollution annually. EPA'sproposed rule will help mitigate climate change and achieve immediate carbonpollutionreductions from new powerplants. My health has declined overthe years and I've beendiagnosed with a rare eye disease, called Scleritis that my doctor has directly correlated with environmental exposure. Without health insurance, the governmentturned me down saying in did not qualifY for assistance because Iwas not blind, yet. We must protect ourfamilies and create a sustainable society. Not only do I supportthe EPA proposal onenforcingnewpower plants to abide by these rules, but I hope exsiting plants shall also be in the near future as well. Our people are suffering and dying slowly without any help or assistance. Something must be done. Finalisizing a new standard to reduce carbon pollution is one ofthose things. This will save lives, communities, and the quality oflife for all people to come. We must stand by investing to create healthy people in order to create a healthy economy in general. Thank you.