Testimony of Edward J. Zygmunt 

890 Beech Grove Road 

Laceyville, PA 18623 

570-869-2353 

perennni.<llacres@"-Q.ix.n~ 

August 1, 2014 

Re: Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants 

Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602 

Carbon Pollution Standard for Modified Sources 

Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-3013-0630 

*********** 

I speak to you today as someone whose family has had a historic relationship with the coal 

industry. Unfortunately our relationship has not been a positive one. Both of my grandfathers were coal 

miners in Luzerne County in the early 20th century. I never met my paternal grandfather because he died 

a slow, agonizing death from black lung before I was born. My only remembrance of my maternal 

grandfather was lying on his bed gasping for air as he was attached to an oxygen tank. 

I still remember as a small child the local coal company dumping their waste culm in a huge 

heap behind my grandparent's home. The coal companies did so because there were no regulations in 

place to stop them. This huge culm pile still stains the stream that flows lifelessly through my 

hometown. Yes, history has vividly shown us what happens when the necessary regulations to protect 

our health and the environment are not in place. 

Today, as an avid angler, it pains me to find over three pages of fish consumption advisories for 

mercury pollution in the summary book of regulations that comes with my fishing license. Mercury 

pollution caused by coal-fired electric power plants in my view is a national disgrace. I am grateful to the 

EPA for recently enacting new regulations that will greatly reduce this toxic source of pollution. Please 

note that, despite the predictions of the coal and electric utility industries, our lights have not gone out 

because of these new regulations. 

Now I believe the time has come for EPA to take the next logical step to protect our health, our 

environment, and our economy by enacting the proposed Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants 

and the Carbon Pollution Standard for Modified Sources. 

As a life-long outdoorsman, I have personally witnessed many adverse impacts to our fish and 

wildlife, and their critical habitat, caused by greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. 

Pennsylvania's state fish, the eastern brook trout, is in serious decline because of warming stream 

temperatures. The smallmouth bass population on the middle and lower Susquehanna River is also 

meeting the same fate. And many of our headwater streams have been ravaged by the increased 

frequency and intensity of rain events that cause unnatural streambank erosion. 

Recently the Pennsylvania Game Commission reduced the hunting season for snowshoe hare 

because, on average, our winters are warmer, which translates into less snow cover to protect hares 
• 

from predation. Pennsylvania's state tree, the eastern hemlock, is in serious trouble from a disease 

known as the wooly adelgid. Mild winters are also being blamed for the proliferation of this forest pest. 

Humans too are not immune to the effects of climate change caused by unregulated 

greenhouse gases. The number of Americans inflicted with pollution-related lung cancer, asthma and 

allergies should concern us all. Just a couple of decades ago Lyme disease was something we never 

heard of. Today the number of Americans inflicted with this debilitating disease is growing 

exponentially. Once again, warmer winter temperatures are to blame for the proliferation of Iyme -

infected ticks. 

In addition to human health and the environment, greenhouse gas em1ss1ons have a huge 

negative impact to our economy. Outdoor recreation, agriculture, and the forest products industry 

contribute billions to the nation's economy. We should all agree that America cannot afford to lose 

these job-sustaining industries because of a preventable problem. On the flip side, increased health care 

costs from pollution-related illnesses are unnecessarily draining our financial resources. We cannot 

afford to pay the exorbitant cost of these preventable diseases. 

It is for these reasons above, and many more which I do not have the time to list, is why I 

strongly support EPA's Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants and the Carbon Pollution Standard for 

Modified Sources. There should be no doubt that we can have clean air, clean water, and a healthy 

economy. Indeed, a healthy economy demands that we have both clean air and clean water. 

Thank you for the opportunity to present my views on these critically important issues. 

Sincerely,