Communities across America are concerned about the impacts of climate change and pollution in our neighborhoods. I am grateful to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and President Biden for the work they’ve done to tackle the climate crisis and clean up our air: passing the largest ever climate and clean energy investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, advancing environmental justice and protecting communities of color through the Justice40 initiative, setting stronger standards for dangerous pollution (like mercury, methane, soot, and wastewater), and taking steps to slash carbon pollution from power plants.

However, we have a short window of time to finalize these important protections. The impact of air pollution and climate pollution on our health is clear. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and individuals with chronic illnesses are more susceptible to pollution. We need you to act to protect the health and safety of our families. The economic cost to inaction is clear as well. Extreme weather events, directly linked to climate change, are increasingly occurring. From flooding on the Seacoast this winter, to smoggy skies from Canadian wildfires last summer, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident here in New Hampshire. U.S. EPA Administrator Regan has the responsibility and authority to protect our health. It’s time to act boldly and swiftly to finalize and implement the strongest possible pollution standards by May of 2024 to meet public health, climate and environmental justice goals.

Olivia Lenox

Manchester