EPA Carbon Pollution Standards Hearing 

May 24,2012 

Washington, D.C. 

Good Afternoon, 

My name is Sylvia Carpenter Wood and I am a resident of the City 

of Richmond, Virginia. 

I come today to address the issue of carbon pollution that 

contributes to the many changes in our climate. 

As well as the threat, that it has on the health and safety of 

Americans. 

As an African American, I stand to speak for those in my 

neighborhood and my community, who are voiceless and are 

affected by the pollutants that circulate throughout the air. 

I come today not to totally focus on any given data or records on the 

pre-industrial era or even the greenhouse gases that tend to warm 

our atmosphere. 

But, I stand today to acknowledge my concerns as an individual, 

who deals with the affect of many pollutants, 365 days a year. 

When I wake up in the morning, one of the things I do, is turn on 

the weather channel or my favorite television station, WTVR -CBS6, 

to get the local news and weather report. 

This helps me to prepare for my day and what I will expect when I 

venture outdoors. 

My sensitivity to certain pollutants circulating in the air plays a 

major role on how active I can be that day. 
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I have to decide whether or not to take a morning walk or stroll, 

what medications to take or inhale or just make the decision, to 

simply venture outside to go to work and venture back outside to 

return home. 

Sounds like an exciting and funfiled day! 

It can also play a part in limiting my community and civil rights 

activism, when I travel throughout the United States speaking on 

various issues. 

Today, I also stand on behalf of my great nephew Breon Wood, who 

is an 8 year old, that attends Westover Hills Elementary School in 

Richmond, VA. 

He has to limit his outdoor playing, because one day at school he 

became sick and doctors diagnosed him as having asthma. 

Now playing outdoors, for long periods of time and the outdoor 

conditions can cause him major medical problems. 

The whites of his eyes sometimes turn a yellowish color. A coughing 

spell could lead to him vomiting and a trip to the hospital emergency 

room or the doctor's office. 

And yes, this not only affects him but, his mom has to lose time from 

her job, quite often. 

This leads to her receiving a lower paycheck, because her job has 

limits on the amount of sick or personal leave time used during the 

calendar year. 

How can you tell a young child, that the baseball, football, or 

basketball that he loves to play, now comes along with medical 

guidelines. 
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Breon has to now carry around and utilize an inhaler. 

Not an easy task for a playful child. 

I stand on behalf of my mother-in-law, who lived near a factory in 

Richmond, VA. 

The pollutants from that factory caused her a lot pain and suffering 

with her breathing. 

She finally decided to pack up her family and move to another area 

in the City of Richmond, which didn't affect her as much. 

I come before the EPA, to ask that you strongly look into changing 

the Carbon Pollution Standards. 

In reading various news articles, the existing power plants, seems to 

be looked upon as having a great responsibility for adding to the 

tons of carbon and other toxic pollutants into the air. 

This could lead to thousands of pounds of toxics per each man, 

woman and child in this country. 

Now is the time for change. 

If not now, WHEN. Time is of essence. 

Please look into your heart, by focusing on the safety of the many 

generations of Americans, that are here and the generations that 

will soon come. 

Thank you and God bless.