February 7, 2024 /3BL/ – Ceres applauds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s newly released standards for pollution from fine particulate matter, otherwise known as PM2.5 or soot, a harmful and deadly pollutant produced by fossil fuel power plants, vehicle emissions, and other industrial sources that harm public health in exposed communities.
“The EPA’s new particulate matter standard is a lifesaver and will help build a cleaner, healthier, and more just economy for all,” said Anne Kelly, vice president of government relations, Ceres. “Ceres commends the Biden administration for tackling this important public health challenge with rules that are ambitious yet entirely feasible — especially given the groundswell of recent federal, state, and private investments in clean electricity, transportation, industry, and agriculture. As the new soot regulation takes hold, we encourage businesses from all sectors to take full advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act and other clean energy investments to ensure the benefits of reduced pollution are realized in all communities and across the economy.”
Soot’s well-documented health effects impact about 63 million Americans, and the new fine particulate matter standard has significant public health and economic benefits. It projects to save 4,200 lives, prevent 5,400 cases of asthma, and avoid 270,000 lost workdays, producing public health net benefits worth $43 billion.
Ceres actively engaged with the EPA throughout the regulatory process to support a strong fine particulate standard, including through written feedback and live testimony, and worked closely with companies like Avocado Green, Solectrac, and Eileen Fisher as they called for stronger standards. Following public feedback, the EPA adopted the stronger of its proposed standards of 9 µg/ m3 released today.
About Ceres
Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.
Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org, 617-247-0700 ext. 214