American Lung Association to Take Legal Action to Defend Clean Power Plan, Protect Health of Michiganders

LANSING MI (10/23/2015)(readMedia)-- .

Alternate media contacts:

Michelle Blundell, P: 202-478-6176 E: mblundell@mrss.com,

Allison MacMunn | American Lung Association , P: 312-801-7628 E: Media@Lung.org

Today, the American Lung Association took steps to intervene to legally defend the Clean Power Plan from any attempts to block or delay its effectiveness or implementation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule, published in the Federal Register today, is the first national program to clean up carbon pollution from power plants and is critical in addressing climate change and protecting public health.

Unfortunately, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is issuing his own legal action against the Clean Power Plan. Stalling or blocking the Clean Power Plan threatens public health, and puts residents of Michigan in danger.

"The fight against climate change is long from over, and the American Lung Association will continue to fight attacks on the Clean Power Plan," said Ken Fletcher, Advocacy Specialist for the American Lung Association in Michigan. "The Lung Association in Michigan urges Governor Snyder to put forth a strong compliance plan to reduce carbon pollution that will protect children and other at–risk populations here in Michigan."

"The Clean Power Plan represents tremendous progress in the fight against climate change and carbon pollution," said Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "The American Lung Association is committed to defend the Plan against multiple lawsuits that would block or eliminate the best tool we have to clean up power plants - the largest contributors to climate change in the nation."

Warmer temperatures degrade air quality by worsening ozone pollution, and create more particle pollution from increased wildfires and drought, threatening public health. Nationwide, EPA estimates the Clean Power Plan will prevent up to 3,600 premature deaths and 90,000 asthma attacks annually in 2030, as well as prevent 300,000 missed days of work and school.

The evidence is clear, climate change and carbon pollution threaten the health of millions of Americans, and residents of Michigan cannot afford the delay of the Clean Power Plan.

Each state can develop their own Clean Power Plan compliance strategy tailored to fit the needs of their residents. The American Lung Association will defend the Clean Power Plan on a legal basis, along with other health and environmental groups, and work with Michigan to help maximize the public health benefits of the Clean Power Plan.

"We here in Michigan have seen first-hand the threats to public health that come from climate change," said Fletcher. "Michigan needs to step up and work to reduce the carbon pollution that worsens climate change, to better protect the health of our residents."

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer, to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.