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EPA Carbon Pollution Standards Hearing May 24,2012 Washington, D.C.

Good Afternoon, My name is Sylvia CarpenterWood and I am a resident ofthe City ofRichmond, Virginia. I come today to address the issue ofcarbon 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 speakfor 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 ofmany pollutants, 365 days a year. When I wake up in the morning, one ofthe things I do, is turn on the weather channel or my favorite television station, WTVR-CBS6, to get the local news andweather 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.Page2 I have to decide whether ornot to take a morningwalkor stroll, what medications to take orinhale orjust make the decision, to simply venture outside to go to work and venture backoutside to return home. Sounds like an exciting and funfiled day! Itcan also play a partin limiting my community and civil rights activism, when I travel throughout the United States speaking on various issues. Today, I also stand on behalfofmy great nephew Breon Wood, who is an 8 year old, that attends WestoverHills Elementary School in Richmond, VA. He has to limit his outdoorplaying, because one day at school he became sick and doctors diagnosed him as having asthma. Now playing outdoors, for long periods oftime and the outdoor conditions can cause him major medical problems. Thewhites ofhis eyes sometimes turn a yellowish color. A coughing spell could lead to him vomiting and a trip to the hospital emergency room orthe doctor's office. Andyes, this not only affects him but, his mom has to lose time from herjob, quite often. This leads to herreceiving a lowerpaycheck, because herjob has limits on the amount ofsick orpersonal leave time used during the calendaryear. How can you tell a youngchild, that the baseball, football, or basketballthat he loves to play, now comes along with medical guidelines.Page 3 Breon has to now carry around and utilize an inhaler. Not an easy taskfor a playful child. I stand on behalfofmy mother-in-law, who lived near a factory in Richmond, VA. The pollutantsfrom thatfactory caused her a lot pain and suffering with herbreathing. She finally decided to packup herfamily and move to another area in the City ofRichmond, which didn't affect her as much. I come before the EPA, to askthat you strongly lookinto 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 ofcarbon and othertoxic pollutants into the air. This could lead to thousands ofpounds oftoxics per each man, woman and child in this country. Now is the time for change. Ifnot now, WHEN. Time is ofessence. Please lookinto yourheart, by focusing on the safety ofthe many generations ofAmericans, that are here and the generations that will soon come. Thankyou and God bless.