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'~1',; ~~'~'\,. MD NAACP Clean Air/Environment testimony 

I am Elbridge James and I am here on behave of the thousands of NAACP 

members and families in Maryland who support the standards being set by the 

Environmental protection Agency to raise carbon pollution standards for power 

plants in the United States. I speak not only as one who will benefit from this 

increased protection of cleaner air; but for millions of people in Maryland, including 

the elderly, children and the infirmed who every day experience a quality of life 

that is either diminished or improved as a result of air they are forced to breathe. 

I do not pretend to have experience the difficulties suffered by persons inflicted 

with illnesses due to breathing difficulties; but I have witnessed the pain and 

anguish of watching others, including my mother, who suffer a slow deterioration 

and eventual death due to breathing problems. As the legislative advocate for the 

NAACP in Maryland I have witnessed the testimony of health care providers and 

their patients who ask for greater funding for treatment and relieve from their 

illnesses, many of which were aggravated by exposure to air born toxins and 

pollutants such as mercury, arsenic, lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. 

During the last decade we have fought to see improvements in our air quality in 

Maryland. In the "Clean Air Progress in Maryland" report (April 2012), that was 

released by the Maryland Department of Environment, a major highlight is the 

steady increase in the number of moderate to good air quality days over the 

decade. The report credits the implementing the Maryland Healthy Air Act, 

which has the toughest power plant emission law on the east coast, for developing 

standards and policies that have led to the higher air quality. But the report also 

notes that pollution from surrounding states continues to be a top contributor to the 

states' ground-level ozone problem. 

Whereas, the Md. State NAACP applauds the state's earlier efforts. We also 

believe that the current fiscal crisis (both at the federal and state levels) is putting 

unreasonable pressure on government officials to weaken efforts to improving 

standards and regulations needed to protect residents of the state and this nation. 

The NAACP sees these attempts to weaken this protection as a continuation of 

the attacks on all Americans, especially the poor and disadvantaged who cannot 

afford high priced lobbyist to protect them (and their children) when legislation is 

passed in Congress or a state's legislature. 

We are looking at an industry- the coal industry- that, for decades, exploited 

workers for profit and only after federal intervention through mandated regulations 

have these workers received some rights and job safety protection. This is the 

same industry that for decades has fought current clean-air standards that today 

are recognized as only minimally sufficient in addressing or preventing the release 

of more toxins in our atmosphere. This is an industry that continues to cry poverty 

because of the higher cost of meeting the proposed standards. 

NAACP Maryland State Political Action- P.O. Box I 0952- Rockville, Maryland 20849 
The aforementioned Maryland report states: "Ozone and fine particles are 

Maryland's biggest air issues. Both pollutants are created from fuel-burning 

sources such as vehicles, electric utilities and industrial boilers. These pollutants 

can irritate the respiratory system causing coughing, throat irritation and chest 

pains. They are also linked to premature death." 

As consumers-and as Americans- we look to the federal government to work with 

business and industry to set standards for the safe delivery of services and 

products. But in that relationship, we expect and demand that the government 

always take the position that the welfare of the American people must be 

protected above all else. These are guiding principles that has outlawed child 

labor in the workplace, banished lead gasoline in cars and asbestos from our 

homes, and is now seeking to provide a health care safety net for all Americans. 

All of theses are health and safety precautions that have improved the quality and 

longevity of life in America. 

Again, citing the "Clean Air Progress in Marvland" report, "Addressing air pollutants 

from neighboring states is a priority for Maryland. Maryland is urging the EPA to 

adopt federal rules to reduce emissions from these states. Maryland is also working 

with EPA and other states to use provisions in the federal Clean Air Act to ensure 

that these reductions in upwind states become effective." 

The poor, children, working adults, the sick and disabled have little to no resources 

to fight for their survival against forces that place exorbitant profit over the welfare of 

our citizens. What is more important-the health of our children and families or 

allowing corporate entities to buy the newest Lear jet or vacation in Hawaii?? This 

not the time to turn the clock back on clean air standards. 

The Maryland NAACP urges this body to support the EPA call for implementing 

improved clean air standards. We thank you for considering our support of this 

measure and we welcome any questions you may have. I can be reached by 

phone on 301-213-9657 or e-mail: elbridgej@gmail.com 

Respectfully, 

Elbridge James 

Chair, Political Action 

Maryland State NAACP 

NAACP Maryland State Political Action- P.O. Box I 0952- Rockville, Maryland 20849