Release: PennEnvironment, 160+ advocacy groups call for stronger enforcement of pollution laws

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 20, 2022

CONTACT: 

Flora Cardoni, Field Director, [email protected], 716-830-9079 

PennEnvironment, 160+ advocacy groups call for stronger enforcement of pollution laws 

“Solutions for Pollution” coalition formed to protect health, tackle climate change 

PHILADELPHIA — PennEnvironment, PennFuture, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light, and more than 25 groups across the Commonwealth formally launched the Pennsylvania campaign for the Solutions for Pollution coalition Tuesday. The nationwide effort aims to persuade the Biden administration to carry out its responsibilities to cut climate pollution in half by 2030, thereby protecting our public health and environment.

“Climate change is fueling deadly heat waves and worsening air quality across Pennsylvania, leaving our cities and communities more vulnerable. That’s why we need Solutions for Pollution now,” said Flora Cardoni, PennEnvironment’s field director. “We need President Biden to use all of his authority under existing laws such as the Clean Air Act to deliver the most effective  solutions for pollution possible.”

PennEnvironment’s Flora Cardoni speaks at the Solutions for Pollution Campaign outside of Philadelphia City HallPhoto by TPIN | TPIN

The advocates are calling on the federal government to fulfill the full potential of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. This new law was designed to invest approximately $370 billion into thwarting climate change, building out clean energy infrastructure, providing “green” jobs and supporting environmental justice.

The Solutions for Pollution campaign is a broad and diverse national coalition of more than 160 environmental, climate, public health, environmental justice, youth, and clean energy organizations organized by the Climate Action Campaign. On September 12, the group sent a letter to President Biden calling for his administration to implement about 20 federal protections included in the coalition’s Solutions for Pollution Action Plan that, along with the Inflation Reduction Act, would help the government meet the president’s climate commitments.

“While the Inflation Reduction Act is a historic start to climate action, more must be done to fight climate change and advance justice for all. By implementing the Solutions for Pollution Action Plan, we can ensure that communities across the state, and future generations have access to a cleaner, more just, equitable and healthier environment,” said Annie Regan, PennFuture.

The Solutions for Pollution campaign will focus on engaging the administration and mobilizing the public to ensure implementation of rigorous pollution limits on power plants and industrial sources, the strongest possible standards to reduce vehicle pollution, standards for more efficient appliances, limits on methane and HFCs, as well as more transparency for investors, shareholders, and others on climate risks to corporations, and more. 

“The Solutions for Pollution campaign will advocate for the strongest possible rules to ensure a safe future for our children,” said Brooke Petry from Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania. “We’re excited to join with advocacy groups across the nation supporting this campaign for clean air and a healthy climate.”

PennEnvironment’s Flora Cardoni, Philadelphia City Councilmembers Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Jamie Gauthier, and partners launch Solutions for Pollution Campaign in PAPhoto by TPIN | TPIN

Pennsylvania organizations in the Solutions for Pollution coalition so far include: PennEnvironment, PennFuture, PA Interfaith Power and Light, Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, Clean Air Council, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter, Moms Clean Air Force- Pennsylvania Chapter, Conservation Voters of PA, American Academy of Pediatrics PA Chapter, Center for Coalfield Justice, Communities First Sewickley Valley, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Defensores de la Cuenca, Rail Pollution Protection Pittsburgh (RP3), The Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT), Climate Reality Project: Susquehanna Valley PA Chapter, Climate Reality Project: Philadelphia and SEPA Chapter, Keystone Progress Education Fund, Pennsylvania Stands Up, Defend our Future- PA, the Breathe Project, Allegheny County Clean Air Now (ACCAN), Three Rivers Waterkeeper, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Group Against Smog and Pollution, Tuesdays with Toomey Philadelphia, and CAC Pennsylvania. 

Watch the press conference launch on PennEnvironment’s Facebook.

To learn more about the Solutions for Pollution campaign, visit https://www.actonclimate.com/solutions.

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PennEnvironment is a citizen-based, statewide environmental advocacy organization working to ensure clean air, clean water, and protecting Pennsylvania’s great natural heritage. For more information about this and other PennEnvironment projects, visit www.PennEnvironment.org