Testimony 

Environmental Protection Agency 

Hearing on Carbon Pollution Standards 

Jocelyn L. Travis 

ohionaacp(a)yahoo.com 

Ohio Conference NAACP 

Chicago, IL 

May 24, 2012 

I live in Cleveland, Ohio which is the largest urban area of Ohio. Recently, our city has 

announced that we have the highest level of Asthma cases of any city in the state. Well, 

we can just add 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 of our communities in the St. Clair area 

where I grew up, has the highest level of lead poisoning in the state, etc. In Ohio, we 

continue to struggle with a failing economy and extremely high rate of unemployment to 

add to this list of woes. Please be mindful that because of the poor economic condition 

we face in our city, many people don't have access to quality health care and funds for 

medication to 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 involved with the National 

Association of Clean Air Agencies, which would be extremely detrimental to our state. 

I come before you today to applaud your efforts to reduce the toxins being emitted from 

coal-fired power plants with the regulation of"Carbon Pollution Standards". However, in 

my city of Cleveland we have the sixth worst coal-fired power plant in the country and 

we have four failing coal-fired power plants in the state of Ohio. 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 of the failing plants in Ohio will not meet the 

required regulations until2014 and possibly 2015. The fact that these plants have gone 

this long emitting such harmful pollutants into our environment is a travesty. When I 

mentioned the community with children having the highest level oflead poisoning in the 

state of Ohio, I don't think it is a coincidence that the community is in the immediate 

vicinity of the power plant. What do we have to do to protect our children? The fact that 

they will have to continue inhaling these 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 of the power plant. 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, I truly believe there will be stalling tactics 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 of the high school and one of our Cleveland NAACP Youth 

Council members, who is a very intelligent and engaged young lady was asked if she was 

aware that her school was next door to the power plant, indicated that she had no idea 

there was a plant next door and was shocked when she was made aware of the issues 

concerning this plant. I also contacted the City Councilman from the area who was also 

unaware of this power plant and the toxins it is emitting in the environment. If this plant 

and other failing coal-fired power plants throughout the state and country are going to be 

allowed to continue operating at their current level without making corrective changes for 

several years, it is important that the community is aware of the challenges they are 

facing from these plants. The current health issues that plaque our community must be 

acknowledged and addressed immediately and First Energy should bear responsibility for 

making that happen. My vision for the Cleveland area and the state of Ohio is that with 

the help of the EPA, First Energy and the NAACP we embark on a two year campaign to 

clean up our air. This could be done through an awareness education program, especially 

in the areas surrounding the failing power plants. It is important that 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 of toxins from coal and 

other chemicals used within these plants. There must also be funds available for treatment 

of those who have been directly affected. The more knowledge I obtain about the 

pollutants in our air, the more determined I am to ensure that we do all possible to bring 

about a positive change. 

As Youth Advisor for the NAACP,! am extremely concerned that we are not doing 

enough to clean up our air and environmc;nt. This is the time that we must all work 

togdher to make a difference and holding the energy companies and our elected officials 

accour.table to co what is right in promoting a healthy community. I am very thankful to 

the EPA for providing me 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.