FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elle Thoni, People Over Petro Coalition, Email: elle@peopleoverpetro.org | Phone: 507-421-2673
Early this morning, U.S. congressional leaders voted to strip landmark Clean Air Act regulations for the seven most toxic substances produced by polluting industries.
All Democratic representatives and one Republican, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), voted
against the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows 1,800 facilities nationwide to release
unlimited amounts of Dioxin, Lead, Mercury, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Polycyclic
organic matter (POM), and Hexachlorobenzene into our air – substances that are well-known to
cause serious health impacts such as birth defects, developmental disabilities, and cancer. The
passage of this CRA is also significant because it prevents the U.S. EPA from passing similar
protective regulations in the future.
People Over Petro’s Regional Coordinator, Cheryl Johncox, responds:
“This vote had nothing to do with the economy, jobs, or putting Americans first. This vote gave
refineries the ability to release unlimited amounts of the seven most toxic substances known to
cause birth defects, developmental disabilities, and cancer into our air. It puts every child at risk,
and prevents the U.S. EPA from regulating these toxic chemicals ever again – regulations that
we desperately need to protect our families now and for generations to come. This was a selfish
giveaway to the industries that really run this country. We already know that this devastating
decision will have the hardest impact on our frontline and rural communities who have already
given so much health and wealth for industrial greed. It has never been more important to listen
to their experiences, and to organize locally and regionally for a more just future.”
About People Over Petro Coalition:
Made up of fifty frontline communities and nonprofit organizations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and
West Virginia, the People Over Petro Coalition’s mission is to put the health of our communities
before petrochemical profits.