Sam Edmondson writing for Earthjustice describes some tense moments at a June 8th hearing before two subcommittees on the Senate Committee for Environment and Public Works.
The testimony of two paid big polluter advocates claim that future regulations should follow an economic model, rather than the good sense model of children's health shouldn't be determined by corporate profits. Sam makes an excellent closing point that dispels that standard industry argument--the health and mortality costs to all of us far outweigh the corporate costs of compliance.
Especially when it comes to our children.
Especially when it comes to our children.
The hearing room on the 4th floor of the Dirksen Senate Office building was packed—so packed that some onlookers stood in the back of the room to see the action unfold. All had gathered earlier today for "Air Quality and Children's Health," a hearing before members of two subcommittees of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Before a panel of senators sat five witnesses—two of them with the shameful purpose of arguing against air quality standards that protect children's health.
Tension crackled throughout the room when Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) grilled witness, Margo Thorning: "Is your testimony that those suffering from asthma should just get a job? What about those families that are working and have a child with asthma?"
Read more hereThorning had provoked Whitehouse's ire by arguing that health protections against air pollution are untimely and unnecessary. What we really need to do, she said, is focus on economic growth—a thinly veiled version of the polluter mantra that health protections against the pollution they generate cost too much and are unfair, unfair, unfair. Nevermind that the Office of Management of Budget, the Environmental Protection Agency and independent analysts have found this to be untrue.
Link to archived webcast and transcripts.
Click on names for transcripts.
Photo credit: Sura
Subscribe in a reader
That should be required reading for the Alabama lawmakers and the PSC every time Alabama Power whines about regulations on their emissions.
ReplyDeleteWhy is ADEM fighting their battles for them when they are in a much better position to pay for it than the state of Alabama is?
Anybody? How about you Ron Gore?
Plain and simple they don't care.
ReplyDeleteIncreased mortality rates are a line item under the cost of doing business. Most of the populace is blissfully ignorant and responds only to the big lie of "your bill is going to increase." They are incapable of comprehending their bill already has.
Ask any individual how much their insurance rates have increased in the past few years.
ADEM should be classified as a PAC.
ReplyDeleteHow's that compassionate corporate conservatism working out for everybody?
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to punch 'em when I hear that phrase.
Sam is exactly on point! Well done sir!
ReplyDeleteSee? I was right wasn't I?
ReplyDeleteI stand by my comment from your last article with renewed vigor!
Citizen casualties are just the cost of doing business in corporate America.
Asthma is a killer if it's not properly managed and even then some attacks progress to Status Asthmaticus an attack so severe that it does not respond to the normal course of therapy. The victim literally chokes to death.
ReplyDeleteTo see a child in the throes of SA is a heart ripper.
Statistics show that asthma alone costs the economy as much as $16 billion dollars annually.
You'll forgive me if I say I find the stance of the big polluters one great big crock of s*it!
People before profits brought to you by the GOP and the US Chamber of Commerce.
ReplyDeleteThis may be slightly off topic, but how does the right square their anti abortion stance with allowing big business to contribute to the detriment of children's health?
ReplyDeleteOn what planet does that make sense?
If I was to pick the single most destructive force to people in almost every issue it would have to be the lobbyists and PR firms.
ReplyDeleteNone of the big energy giants could get anywhere without their legion of paid demons.
It's disgusting what we have come to in this country under the guise of an "honorable profession."