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 avolunteer with the D.C. chapter ofthe Sierra Club. In addition, I am a long-time resident ofWashington, 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 ofthe Washington, D.C. area--and the rest ofthe 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 ofthis area's worst ozone-pollution days duringthe last few years. But the problem isn'tjust home grown. Dirty air also blows in from coal-fired plants as far away as Georgia and Ohio." It is stunning to thinkthat coal-powered plants from Georgia and Ohio could be pollutingthe very airthatwe breathe right now. Toxic chemical pollution from coal-powered plants can travel hundreds of miles, impacting places farfrom the original plant site. living in a place with such high levels ofair pollution can mean higher rates of asthma and other respiratory problems. D.C. has avery high rate ofasthma, especially among inner city children. Igrew up in coastal Maine and never had asthma there. But I have had allergic asthma while living in Washington, D.C. Attimes, itwas so serious that I could notwork and could not even go outside. Especially on days with poor air quality. What helped most was gettingfar awayto where the air was much cleaner. I no longer have to carry an asthma inhalator. But I also tryto limit my exposure to air pollution as much as possible. There are days in D.C. where Ijust can't get a breath offresh air. Coal-powered plants are described as the dirtiesttype ofenergy. The American lungAssociation 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 of84 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 metaIs. One ofthe heavy metals released is mercury. Coal-powered plants are a major source of mercury pouring intowaterways. A Sierra Club magazine article reported the following: When EPA researchers tested predatory and bottom dwellingfish at 500 U.S. lakes and reservoirs in 2009, they found mercury in EACH AND EVERY ONE. Close to HALF ofthefish had had levels so high thattheywere unsafe to eat. Another 2009 study, by the U.S. Geological Survey, found mercury-contaminated fish in each ofthe 291 streams and rivers tested. Mercury pollution causes U.S. waters to be closed to fishing morethan does any othersource 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 mercurythat pregnant women and young children should not eat tuna at all. And some doctors now advise patients to avoid seafood altogether. This is one ofthe high prices ofcoal-powered plants spewing so much mercury intothe environmental, along with other dangerous toxins. Moving away from coal-powered plants and movingtoward much cleaner sources ofenergy could dramatically reduce the amount of mercury in the environment overtime. The National Resources Defense Council advises NOT consuming the following seafood due to the very high level of mercury: AhiTuna Big Eye TunaEPA 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 eatingthefollowing only a fewtimes a month, ifat 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 ofthe following each month, dueto moderate levels of mercury: Carp Alaskan Cod White Pacific CroakerEPA 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 lightTuna SkipjackTuna 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 movingto cleaner sources of energy will mean less mercury and othertoxins in the waterways. I also believe itwill mean cleaner air. Thank you for yourtime.

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