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7/30/14 Public hearing on Clean Power Plan for Existing Power 

Plants and the Carbon Pollution Standard for Modified Sources 

My name is Juanita Roark and I am from Atlanta, GA. I am a 

mother and grandmother, who is concerned about the impact 

of climate change on my family and all of humanity. I am here 

in support of the E.P.A.'s plan to limit our existing power plant 

carbon pollution. 

I may have a slightly different outlook on climate change than 

most people in our area. I have already lost one third of my 

property value if not more due to the rising ocean. I tried to 

plan for retirement, putting my savings into property which 

seemed safe. The old saying " They aint making more beach 

property" had been true, until now. Now one third of my 

property is considered by the government as too dangerous to 

build on. and is being re-surveyed. Unfortunately, there are 

structures on that land. Also I have no assurance that the 

remaining two thirds will be considered large enough on which 

to build a home when I need to retrieve that nest egg, It may 

have essentially been washed away by climate change. 

This does not mean that I am bitter nor blaming. I am willing to 

step up and take some responsibility. I'm willing to do my 

share of the clean up necessary to save our species. We all 

learned to clean up our own messes in kindergarten, didn't we? 

The paint we spilled in kindergarten didn't have such far 

reaching effects, but it looks as though we have created quite 

a large mess this time. One that may endanger our existence 

on this planet. The planet will go on quite nicely without us but 

I believe we all agree that we would like to stick around and 

even assure that 7 generations into the future will enjoy our 

beautiful world. Unfortunately, our US wasteful and 
sometimes lavish lifestyle is having an effect on people all 

around the world. I am so pleased to see our E. P. A. stepping 

up to the plate. 

Since electricity production by coal fired plants is the greatest 

source of C02 according to The Union of Concerned Scientists, 

it seems a logical place to start the reduction of emissions. I 

applaud the E.P.A. for taking the lead in addressing our 

responsibility. 

I also believe there is another greenhouse gas that is even 

more harmful, methane. The unfortunate truth is that methane 

is 34 to 86 times more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon 

dioxide, depending of the length of time being considered. 

When leakage is kept at 1 to 3% it is a level that keeps natural 

gas on par with coal. Unfortunately, private testing shows the 

leakage as high as 20%. So what we have been told about 

"clean natural gas" is not so clean nor safe. Even the leakage 

from the distribution system in our cities is a problem. LA.'s is 

17%. 

Nuclear power is also not as safe nor economically feasible, as 

we have been led to believe. We do know that coal is not safe 

for the atmosphere nor the water. We still don't have a clear 

vision of the impact water pollution has on our bodies but this 

is a good place to start our quest. 

So what ever it takes for us to evolve into using renewable 

energy seem most prudent, however uncomfortable. The fear 

associated with change is something we all understand. Retraining for a different type of job is daunting but doable when 

we see the alternative. As a nation we have always risen to the 

challenge when required. We see ourselves as a world leader, 

yet Germany and other countries 
seem to be leading at this point. 

We think we can adapt but people don't seem to be adapting 

too well to the mosquito-borne virus, chikungunya. We are just 

started hearing about it in our media in December but 438,075 

cases have been reported in Latin America and the Caribbean 

since then. Yet our warmer climate welcomes its spread as well 

as more super storms like Sandy. All of us here may soon feel 

its effect in a very physical way. 

I don't believe we are insane as Einstein pointed out. We know 

we can't get a different outcome using the same methods. I 

trust that our great grandchildren will inherit a different, a 

more peaceful world. Wars have been fought and are currently 

being fought over fossil fuels. My vote is for peace for them 

and our planet. 

I am so grateful to the EPA for helping us become more 

responsible. 

And I thank you for being here and caring.