take the power of pollution away from a small elite

Big corporations, utilities, and Wall Street billionaires who profit from fossil fuel power plants have been keeping us in a corner for years. Now, the grip is finally starting to loosen.

For too long, a small number of people have decided where we get our electricity, how much we pay for our utilities, and even what’s in the air we breathe. They have done this with little regulation or consequence. These pollutions accelerate the climate crisis, causing extreme storms and uncontrollable floods and droughts, devastating communities and economies. If you are unlucky enough to be in a fenced area near a coal or gas plant, you can see the human toll firsthand. Due to the toxic pollution these plants emit into the air and water, they have higher rates of asthma, heart disease, and cancer. This is the price we pay as polluting companies prioritize profits over our well-being.

The tragic legacy of coal and gas power plant pollution is finally being broken. This is thanks to the Biden administration’s historic and decisive actions in a series of four rules just finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency. Although the rules seem basic in nature, they are a game changer.

First, President Joe Biden just enacted significant restrictions on wastewater from coal-fired power plants, one of the biggest sources of toxic pollution in our waterways. Second, it closed a loophole that prevented coal-fired power plant operators from dumping toxic coal ash anywhere at any time without any safeguards. Third, strengthen protections to limit the uncontrolled release of heavy metals, mercury, and other harmful air toxics from power plants, protecting the most vulnerable from the most dangerous types of air pollution. Ta. Finally, for the first time in history, the president is implementing carbon pollution standards for existing coal-fired power plants and new gas-fired power plants, the most significant source of pollution accelerating the climate crisis.

This is clear evidence that the Biden administration is listening to the overwhelming public demand that everyone, no matter where they live, have access to clean air, safe water, and a stable climate. This is a sign. This is a major shift in defining who has priority in decision-making regarding air and water pollution. Now, the needs of the people who feel the effects of environmental pollution are finally being prioritized over the corporations that pollute the environment and the politicians who sit idly by.

The Biden administration’s actions are critical to reducing harmful pollution and holding polluting companies accountable. And they bring us closer to transitioning to a 100% clean energy economy. This is an essential next step to prevent the worst damage from the climate crisis. Now that clean renewable energy is more affordable than gas and coal nationwide, these safeguards will further encourage the transition to these energy sources. It saves lives, reduces costs and creates new jobs. This is an investment that supports the economy, protects public health, and fosters innovation.

Dirty fossil fuels that threaten communities with dangerous pollution are disappearing. People, governments, and even some power companies agree that our future is built on reliable, affordable, and clean electricity. It is time to change the status quo that has resulted in a public health disaster, a worsening climate crisis, and a small number of wealthy interests wielding disproportionate influence over our future.

Like all changes, this latest action happened alone. we made it happen. Many politicians remained silent for years, but the people did not. People across the country have built a movement against fossil fuel pollution and the influence of corporate polluters from every conceivable angle. In the courts, in Congress, in the state legislature, on the Public Works Commission, and, of course, in the streets, the movement worked tirelessly to protect the health of our families. They fought for our clean air and water, and our collective future free from pollution and the climate crisis. These new safeguards are the culmination of decades of advocacy work that has never been in the spotlight, but has always brought us closer to today.

Ben Jealous is the executive director of the Sierra Club.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.