[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 7, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    STRONGER AIR POLLUTION STANDARDS

  (Ms. McCLELLAN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. McCLELLAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the 
Environmental Protection Agency on finalizing a stronger air pollution 
standard that will protect communities and achieve better outcomes 
across our Nation.
  Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration, the EPA 
strengthened the national air ambient quality standard for soot, from 
12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9. Today's final rule is a major step 
toward addressing one of the most dangerous environmental health risks 
in the country.
  As is too often the case, low-income communities and communities of 
color are disproportionately impacted by soot pollution and experience 
worse health outcomes as a result, including higher rates of 
respiratory illnesses, particularly asthma, heart attacks, cancer, and 
infant mortality.
  Strengthening these standards will prevent 4,500 premature deaths, 
avoid 290,000 lost workdays, and result in as much as $46 billion in 
public health benefits.
  Shortly after being sworn in, I called on the EPA to curb soot 
pollution and finalize a strong rule, and I am grateful for the 
administration's action which will begin to address historic inequities 
in our marginalized communities across the Nation.

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