----------- ---

May 24, 2012 COMMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S PROPOSED NEW STANDARDSTO LIMIT CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM NEW POWER PLANTS My name is Ted Steck. Iam an emeritus professor at the University ofChicago where Iwas founder of the Environmental Studies Program and its chairfor several years. My long-standing interest in environmental policy prompts me to express my strong supportforthe proposed newstandards limiting carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants. To me, the principal issues are the following:

• There is overwhelming scientific evidence that the Earth's atmosphere is warming at an increasing and alarming rate. • Experts envision that this global warming will impose severely negative impacts on human wellbeing. • Human activities and, in particular, the burning offossil fuels with the release ofcarbon dioxide are the principal causes ofthis climate change. • Because carbon dioxide is cleared from the atmosphere very slowly, global warming and its impactswill increasefor centuries even after its emission ceases. • The nations ofthe world have been slowto respond to this increasing hazard. • It is therefore very importantforthis nation to act immediately to drasticallycurtail the emission ofgreenhouse gases--and carbon dioxide in particular. • The burning ofcoal for electric power generation is a majorsource ofthe rise in carbon dioxide. • While coal is plentiful and inexpensive, it is unfavorable as afuel because, compared to other major energysources, it gives the lowest yield energy per carbon dioxide emitted. • In addition, the emissions from burning coal can have a highly negative impacton human health and well-being through acid rain, the release oftoxic mercury intothe environment and the generation ofsmall particles, called PM 2.5s, which are responsible for significant cardiovascular death and disability. • Fortunately, avariety ofalternative energy sources are available and are becoming increasingly cost-competitive with coal. • Furthermore, it has been shown that carbon dixoide emissions from burning coal can be captured priorto its release so as notto pollute the air. The captured C02 can then be put to commercial use; in particular, for expelling petroleum from the ground. • At the presenttime, however, the technology for carbon capture and sequestration is notwell developed and is too expensive for general use. • The new standards proposed by the EPAwill therefore have several beneficial effects: o Theywill prevent high-polluting coal-burning power plants from being built. o Theywill stimulatethe developmentofnewand cost-effective ways to burn coal with low C02 emissions; in particular, through carbon capture and sequestration technology. o They will stimulate the development of cost-competitive clean alternative energy sources, thereby reducing the use of coal altogether. o Theywill demonstrate this country's commitment to global warming mitigation and thereby contribute favorably to our climate negotiations with other nations. o Lastly, these new standardswill help to slowthe rise in greenhouse gas emissions and the rate ofglobal warming.

Theodore L. Steck, M.D., Professor Emeritus The UniversityofChicago Departmentof Biochemistry and Molecular Biology g2g East 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637 e-mail: tsteck@bsd.uchicago.edu