July 29, 2014

Environmental Protection Agency EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC) Maileode 28221T 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20460 Re: Docket ID No. OAR
-2013-0602 DearAdministrator McCarthy: MARYLAND LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS Ramon Palencia-Calvo Latino Outreach Program Director Maryland League ofConservation Voters 86 Maryland Avenue Annapolis, MD 21401

My name is Ramon Palencia, and I amthe Latino Outreach Program Director ofthe Maryland League of Conservation Voters, an organization that advocates for sound environmental laws and policies and monitors the environmental choices ofits elected officials. I am writing on behalfofthe undersigned organizations representing a large and diverse segment of Maryland's Latino population and across the country. These include faith
-based, youth, immigrants and environmental groups, which are united in support ofthe Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to limit carbon pollution from existing powerplants. Moreover, we would like to express the concerns of overburdened Latino communities and to offer specific recommendations on how the Environmental Protection Agency can better address these concerns. Climate change is one ofthe biggest public health threats ofour time. Among Latinos, respiratory diseases are reaching epidemic proportions. Air pollution is one ofthe main causes, especially carbon dioxide and other pollutants released from powerplants and other facilities, which also cause climate change. Since nearly 40% ofLatino families live within 30 miles ofa power plant, and many lack health insurance and access to basic health services, we are the first to feel the impacts and the last to receive help. Forus, the Clean PowerPlan is crucial to the health and safety ofour communities. As parents and grandparents, we are concerned about the high rate ofasthma in our community. One in ten Latino children suffer from asthma, each a real story ofa family that might not be able to afford medicine or take theirkids to the hospital when they are having an asthma attack, a story ofkids that

Maryland League ofConservation Voters • 86 Maryland Avenue • Annapolis, MD 21401 • 410-280-9855

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# • MARYLAND LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS cannot play soccer with the rest oftheir friends orjusthave a normal life and thrive. These stories are a narrative that plays out far too often in Latino communities. For Latinos and other minorities, the new standards have the potential to be real lifesavers and dramatically benefit the safety, wellbeing, and the health ofourcommunities, by protecting our children, grandchildren and future generations from the harmful effects ofcarbon pollution. However, there are a number ofconcerns that need to be addressed to protect the welfare ofour overburdened communities and increase their capacity to address environmental injustice and environmental health disparities.
• We recommend that the EPA conducts a thorough environmentaljustice analysis ofthis proposed plan, and makes environmentaljustice analysis a required component ofthe State Implementation Plan. • We suggest significant outreach and engagement efforts with the most vulnerable communities and the inclusion and participation ofcommunity advocates and environmental justice leaders during the State Implementation Process. • We also recommend energy solutions that benefit communities. Fromhousing incinerators to the exploration and extraction ofnatural gas, community concerns must be seriously taken into consideration. States need to make sure low income communities have fair access to renewable energy programs and renewable energy systems. So, representing a wide and diverse segment ofthe Latino population from Maryland and across the country, we urge you to stand firm on your commitment to protect the health ofall Americans and support Executive Order 12898, making environmentaljustice an integral part ofthe Environmental Protection Agency's mission. Sincerely, 

### CASA de Maryland GreenLatinos Latino Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation ( JPIC) Committee of St. Camillus Catholic Church, Silver Spring, MD. MarylandLeague ofConservation VotersLatino Outreach Program MarylandMulticultural Youth Center

Maryland League ofConservation Voters • 86 Maryland Avenue • Annapolis, MD 21401 • 410-280-9855