Testimony Environmental ProtectionAgency Hearing on Carbon Pollution Standards Jocelyn L. Travis ohionaacp(a)yahoo.com Ohio Conference NAACP Chicago, IL May 24, 2012

Ilive in Cleveland, Ohio which is the largest urban area ofOhio. Recently, our city has announced that we have the highest level ofAsthma cases ofany city in the state. Well,

we canjustadd this dubious distinction to the many others we are confronted with currently, such as the number one city in Poverty in the country, number two most Segregated City in the country, the fact that one ofour communities in the St. Clair area where I grew up, has the highest level oflead poisoning in the state, etc. In Ohio, we continue to struggle with a failing economy and extremely high rate ofunemploymentto addto this list ofwoes. Please be mindful that because ofthe pooreconomic condition

we face in our city, many people don't have access to quality health care and funds for medicationto help them overcome these health issues which can occur from toxins and pollutants in our air and environment. Finally, to add insult to injury, we have an unsympathetic Ohio EPA Director who is in opposition with the new federal emission rules and is working actively to disengage Ohio from being involvedwith the National Association ofCleanAir Agencies, which would be extremely detrimental to our state.

I come before you today to applaud your efforts to reduce the toxins beingemitted from coal-firedpower plants withthe regulation of"Carbon Pollution Standards". However, in my city ofCleveland we have the sixth worst coal-firedpowerplant in the country and

we have four failing coal-firedpowerplants in the state ofOhio. While these plants will be making adjustments based on the new regulations, I strongly feel that it is not enough. First Energy, the company owning all four ofthe failing plants in Ohio will not meetthe requiredregulations until2014 and possibly 2015. The fact that these plants have gone this long emitting such harmful pollutants into our environment is atravesty. When I mentionedthe community with children having the highest level ofleadpoisoning in the
state ofOhio, I don'tthink it is a coincidence that the community is in the immediate vicinity ofthe powerplant. What do we have to do to protect our children? The fact that they will have to continue inhalingthese fumes and ingesting these toxins is criminal! Many families rely on food from the fish that they are eating from Lake Erie which sits right at the base ofthe powerplant. Jt terrifies me that we are continuing to allow these plants to operate at full force with no immediate plans for correction and even at that time, Itruly believe there will be stallingtactics with support from our current state leadership.The power plant in Cleveland is not only situated by the lake it is right next door to a high school. A 2011 graduate ofthe high school and one ofour Cleveland NAACP Youth Council members, who is a very intelligent and engaged young lady was asked ifshe was

aware that her school was next door to the powerplant, indicatedthat she had no idea there was a plant next door and was shocked when she was made aware ofthe issues concerning this plant. Ialso contactedthe City Councilmanfrom the area who was also

unaware ofthis powerplant and the toxins it is emitting in the environment. Ifthis plant and other failing coal-fired power plantsthroughout the state and country are goingto be allowedto continue operating at their current level without making corrective changes for several years, it is importantthat the community is aware ofthe challenges they are facing from these plants. The currenthealth issues that plaque our community must be acknowledged and addressed immediately and First Energy should bear responsibility for makingthat happen. My visionfor the Cleveland area andthe state ofOhio is that with the help ofthe EPA, First Energy and the NAACP we embark on atwo year campaign to clean up our air. This could be done through an awareness educationprogram, especially in the areas surroundingthe failing powerplants. Itis importantthat this effort also involves funding for health screenings and testing for lead poisoning, asthma, cancer and other health issues resulting from the inhalation and ingesting oftoxins from coal and other chemicals used within these plants. There must also be funds available for treatment ofthose who have been directly affected. The more knowledge I obtain aboutthe pollutants in our air, the more determined Iam to ensure that we do all possible to bring about a positive change.

As Youth Advisor for the NAACP,! am extremely concernedthat we are not doing enough to clean up our air and environmc;nt. This is the time that we must all work togdherto make a difference and holding the energy companies and our elected officials accour.table to co what is right inpromoting ahealthy community. Iamvery thankful to the EPA for providingme the opporlunit) to share my concerns about what is happening in my environment and urge you to keep up your great work in ensuring a brighter, cle&ner aad safer future for generations to come.