US EPA Public Hearing on Emissions Standards OAQPS/SPPD/ESG (0243-01) Research Triangle Park , NC 27711 ( 919)541-7966 ; (919)541-7966 garrett

. pamela @epa.gov 2 : 30PM 8/16/2012

I badies and Genttemerr.



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....**11' :**  My name is Julie Schaarsand I live in the City of Dallas, Zipcode 75214

. I am a retired community health nurse , member of the Sierra Club, founder of the Texas Section of the International Darksky Association and a long-time advocate for clean air

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## .**r}** Thank you for presenting this opportunity

. to speak

# OU**_Qpositign** to the EPA eroposali tO weaken and delay the recently improved pollution limits for cement plants in the U

. S

. by more than two years

. I ask the EPA to enforce the previously-approved higher standards for cement kiln emissions starting in 2013 ,**witho ~**  a**2-y~ar** delay. The previously approved emission standards hould not be delayed , as \\

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### ~bOlO greatly enhance this region ' s ability to meet ou ' 1r qaa 1ty standards

. VVe are also trying to deal with other cumulative toxic threats to the north central Texas area ; these threats come from two huge sources : (1) increased drilling for gas and oil and (2) air and water pollution from pipelines being used to transport tar sands oil across the length of Texas

. The 2010 EPA emission rules , to be implemented in 2013, were hailed as the largest single advance in air quality for the US cement industry , and were widely supported by citizens living near to the nation's cement plants

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· ·"'!**~ ~...J...-..~-.** **.** ·. · Purportedly , the new rules had already passed all necessary regulatory reviews , and were on their way to President Obama for his signature and implementation by**201~when** they got yanked by the administration's Office of Management and Budget earlier th1s year

. When the rules re-emerged , their enforcement was pushed back to 2015 and their strict Particulate Matter pollution provisions were considerably weakened. My question is why the sudden change? What happened? It' s hard to believe that the reversal of rule implementation was merely a budget decision

. Is there a relationship bet\\<een the EPA ' s recent changes to the rules and numerous attempts by industry lobbyists to weaken and delay the roles in Congress? 

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1US EPA Public Hearing on Emissions Standards-page 2 OAQPS/SPPD/ESG (0243-01) Research Triangle Park , NC 27711 ( 919 ) 541

- 7966 ; (919)541-7966 garrett

. pamela @epa

. gov 2 : 30PM 8/16/2012 Certainly the EPA is supportive of aggressive reduction and enforcement of em i ss i ons , according to the goals of the US Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA)

. The OECA works with EPA regional offices , and in partnership with state and tribal governments , and other federal agencies to enforce the nation ' s environmental laws

. One of the CECA'S overall enforcement goals in their final plan for FY 2013 is to

" Aggressively go afterpollution problems that make a difference in communities ." I**q~ote :**  

### " ePA will**~se '+'igoFO~s**  Gi\•il and oriminal enforoement that targets the most**ser o~s**  v.-ater , air and ohemioal hazards; and ad¥anoes en•JiFOnmental**j~stioe** by protesting**v~lnerable oomm~nities.**  The OECA then outlines a multi-point remedy, to justify implementing any regulations, saying, " Regions and delegated state , tribal and local agencies should implement and identify the most important air pollution problems and the most serious violations ,**~ ~ecific]**  targetinstools and other information

..... "

' {P ublication number- Final 305R12001 page 27) Today's testimony highlights why it i s so important to address the most se r ious pollut i on problems , beginning with the north central Texas cement kilns

. Additional reference : http : l/earthjusti c e

. o rg/news/pre ss/2012/ep a-dirtie s-clea n - a ir-legacy-with-prop os al-to-weakenand-delay-cem en t-rule Respectfully submitted , Julie Schaar , Dallas Texas 75214
Julie

. Schaar@hotmail

. com

2