Tracey McFadden's Testimony May 24,2012 U.S. EPA Office Chicago IL

Contact information: Address: 41W754 Bowgren Drive Elburn, JL 60119 E-mail: TracerSOO@comcast.net

Good Morning,
My name is Tracey McFadden, Iam an airline captain based here in Chicago. Before Ibegin I wantto thank you for the opportunity to speak
on this very important issue, creating limits on carbon pollution from coal- fired power plants. I feel this new standard will have a monumental impact on the health and well being ofevery American. I also wantto mention that Ivery much appreciate the work the EPA is doing on a day-to-day basis to improve the health ofall Americans. I realize itis a tireless and many times thanklessjob.
By taking this historic step ofcreating the first ever limits on carbon pollution from new power plants, the EPA would be protecting myself, my family,my grandchildren and all ofour grandchildren from harm. The harm comes in the form not only ofthe air pollution butglobal warming. Our planet is reaching a crisis stage ofwhich there is no return. Only by taking an aggressive approach to climate change can we protect ourselves. I see limiting carbon pollution from new power plants asjustsuch a step. This is our "putting a man on the moon moment". We can solve pollution as well as climate change problems
we only need the will to do so. The EPA is showing they have the will.

This is a huge challenge for all Americans, to take the steps needed to
ensure a clean healthy future for our children. Ican see thatthe leadership provided by the EPA will spill over into many other areas. The EPA is settingthe standard and the example. This action will not only solve one problem itwill motivate others to action. These actions include reducing consumption and encouraging the use ofrenewableMcFadden Testimony p. 2

energy such as solar and wind. It also shows thatthe EPA is on the side ofthe all Americans withouttaking any political position.

It is critical thatthe EPA be the enforcers ofpollution standards. All Americans depend on our governmentto protectus from potential harm. As an Air Force pilot Iwas called to duty duringthe first Gulfwar, I felt it my duty to protect our countryjustas today the EPA is called to
serve our country in its time ofneed. There are areas ofour society which cannotbe selfpoliced. The underlying motive for a power plant is profit so itis understandable that they cannotputpublic health first, itwill have to be a distant second. It is the duty ofthe EPA to protectthe public. By creating limits on carbon pollution this is nothampering the power plants ability to carry outtheir business. It is just a business constraintlike all others in a business such as the cost ofbuilding materials, labor, recurring costs etc. American ingenuity and know how will allow power plants to functionlhey all mustjustplay by a set of rules. As long as everyone plays by the same rulebook no one plant is at any advantage or disadvantage over any other. There is no harm to any business when the playing field is level.

As a nation we must move away from our dependence on coal. The negative effects on our environmentand the health ofour citizens due to coal pollution cannotbe overstated. The proposal to create limits
on carbon pollution on coal-fired plants is a "giant leap for mankind". I cannotthank you enough for these new protections being considered and I fully supportall ofyour efforts.