Recently, I was pleased to read that the Obama Administration had finalized the Clean Power Plan, the United States’ first ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants. These new standards will benefit our public health locally and across the state and has the potential to be a boon to our economy – both welcome improvements to our quality of life across the state.
Air pollution from power plants is a serious threat to the health of many people within our communities, especially the most vulnerable – children, the elderly and chronically ill. By increasing the incidence and severity of illnesses such as asthma and respiratory infections, carbon pollution not only puts a strain on health but also hits our wallets through increased health care costs, higher insurance rates as well as lost pay and productivity due to missed days at work and school. Once in place, the American Lung Association estimates the Clean Power Plan will prevent up to 4,000 premature deaths and 100,000 childhood asthma attacks in the first year alone.
As a primary care physician here in Durango, it’s hard not to embrace a policy that would result in this level of improvement in my patients’ health.
We have long had protections against mercury and other recognized toxins in the U.S. and it’s time to set limits on carbon pollution as well. In addition to protecting public health, these limits will spur development of cleaner, renewable sources of energy that has the potential to add jobs to our economy.
Representatives from the governor’s administration will be in Durango from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Fort Lewis College Student Union gathering public comments on the state’s version of the plan. Please join me in supporting Gov. Hickenlooper and his administration as they work on this important public health policy.
Kicki Searfus, MD
Durango
