EPA Public Hearing July 29, 2014 7:10 p.m. Kathleen Holbrook Mcleod Washington, DC Sierra Club 

My name is Kathleen Holbrook Mcleod, and I am a volunteer with the D.C. 

chapter of the Sierra Club. In addition, I am a long-time resident of Washington, 

D.C. I strongly believe the EPA plan for coal-powered plants that we are 

discussing tonight will dramatically improve the air and water quality of the 

Washington, D.C. area--and the rest of the nation. 

The Washington, D.C.-Baltimore area is rated as NINTH in the nation for high 

ozone levels. Web MD online said the following: 

"Commuters spewing exhaust from their cars caused some of this area's worst 

ozone-pollution days during the last few years. But the problem isn't just home 

grown. Dirty air also blows in from coal-fired plants as far away as Georgia and 

Ohio." 

It is stunning to think that coal-powered plants from Georgia and Ohio could be 

polluting the very air that we breathe right now. Toxic chemical pollution from 

coal-powered plants can travel hundreds of miles, impacting places far from the 

original plant site. 

living in a place with such high levels of air pollution can mean higher rates of 

asthma and other respiratory problems. D.C. has a very high rate of asthma, 

especially among inner city children. 

I grew up in coastal Maine and never had asthma there. But I have had allergic 

asthma while living in Washington, D.C. At times, it was so serious that I could 

not work and could not even go outside. Especially on days with poor air quality. 

What helped most was getting far away to where the air was much cleaner. I no 

longer have to carry an asthma inhalator. But I also try to limit my exposure to air 

pollution as much as possible. There are days in D.C. where I just can't get a 

breath of fresh air. 

Coal-powered plants are described as the dirtiest type of energy. The American 

lung Association reported in 2011 that coal-powered plants produced more 

hazardous air emissions than any other industrial pollution source. 
EPA Public Hearing July 29, 2014 7:10 p.m. Kathleen Holbrook McLeod Washington, DC Sierra Club 

Those dangerous and dirty emissions include 386,000 tons of 84 separate air 

pollutants, from over 400 plants, in 46 states. 

The acid gases create ACID RAIN. There are hazards from benzene and other 

compounds. From DIOXIN and furans. Formaldehyde. Lead. Arsenic and other 

heavy meta Is. 

One of the heavy metals released is mercury. Coal-powered plants are a major 

source of mercury pouring into waterways. 

A Sierra Club magazine article reported the following: When EPA researchers 

tested predatory and bottom dwelling fish at 500 U.S. lakes and reservoirs in 

2009, they found mercury in EACH AND EVERY ONE. Close to HALF of the fish 

had had levels so high that they were unsafe to eat. 

Another 2009 study, by the U.S. Geological Survey, found mercury-contaminated 

fish in each of the 291 streams and rivers tested. Mercury pollution causes U.S. 

waters to be closed to fishing more than does any other source of 

contamination. 

Seafood is a major source of mercury exposure and mercury poisoning in the U.S. 

Tuna is the fish most associated with mercury poisoning, including sushi. Many 

doctors and researchers believe that tuna has such high levels of mercury that 

pregnant women and young children should not eat tuna at all. And some 

doctors now advise patients to avoid seafood altogether. 

This is one of the high prices of coal-powered plants spewing so much mercury 

into the environmental, along with other dangerous toxins. Moving away from 

coal-powered plants and moving toward much cleaner sources of energy could 

dramatically reduce the amount of mercury in the environment over time. 

The National Resources Defense Council advises NOT consuming the following 

seafood due to the very high level of mercury: 

AhiTuna 

Big Eye Tuna 
EPA Public Hearing July 29, 2014 7:10 p.m. Kathleen Holbrook Mcleod Washington, DC Sierra Club 

Swordfish 

Marlin 

Orange Roughy 

King Mackerel 

Tilefish 

Shark 

The NDRC recommends eating the following only a few times a month, if at all. 

These are fish high in mercury: 

Canned Albacore Tuna 

Yellow Fin Tuna 

Chilean Sea Bass 

Bluefish 

Grouper 

Spanish Mackerel 

Gulf Mackerel 

The NDRC recommends eating SIX or less servings of the following each month, 

due to moderate levels of mercury: 

Carp 

Alaskan Cod 

White Pacific Croaker 
EPA Public Hearing July 29, 2014 7:10 p.m. Kathleen Holbrook Mcleod Washington, DC Sierra Club 

Atlantic Halibut 

Pacific Halibut 

Silverside Jacksmelt 

Lobster 

Mahi Mahi 

Monkfish 

Freshwater Perch 

Sablefish 

Skate 

Snapper 

Canned chunk light Tuna 

Skipjack Tuna 

Sea Trout 

Please note that sea food that is too high in mercury for us to eat also poisons 

wildlife such as eagles, river otters, common loons, great egrets, raccoons, minks, 

and even the nearly extinct Florida Panthers. I strongly believe that moving to 

cleaner sources of energy will mean less mercury and other toxins in the 

waterways. I also believe it will mean cleaner air. 

Thank you for your time. 
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