The sequester is here. As I outlined in a previous article exactly what we had to look forward to, indiscriminate cuts are being unleashed upon the public straight across the board, delivered with a hatchet as opposed to a scalpel.
I reached out to Sen. Tom Carper, who serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee, for a comment on the current situation. He responded by e-mail stating:
"Programs in every corner of the
federal government are taking a hit because of sequestration. Because the
President and those of us in Congress failed to compromise in addressing our
deep fiscal challenges, we've enacted indiscriminate cuts without asking
whether they'll hurt our economy or undermine the basic responsibilities of
government, including preserving our environment and protecting public health.
Unfortunately, these cuts weren't conceived thoughtfully and weren't targeted
toward inefficient or wasteful programs. Thus, they could slow our momentum in
valuable programs aimed at cleaning up our dirty air, which contributes to
pulmonary disease in countless Americans, young and old, each year. Going
forward, I'll continue to call for a comprehensive deficit reduction plan that
is balanced, fair and thoughtful ."
The average American may not be aware of how these cuts will impact the air that they breathe. Perhaps, most surprising to them, would be how the affected programs that reduce air pollution will shape the state of national health for everyone. Those at greatest harm are the vulnerable elderly, young children, and those with cardiac and respiratory diseases.
by melissgodk
Here are some of the top concerns that were laid out by the Environment Protection Agency in a February letter from Lisa Jackson to Sen. Barbara Mikulski, the Chairwoman for the Committee on Appropriations.
State Air Monitors:
Sequestration cuts reduce EPA funding allocated to individual states to monitor air quality. Critical air monitoring sites may be shuttered. As a result, there will be no monitoring of certain pollutants such as fine particle (soot) and ozone. Without this data, it is impossible to ascertain whether a specific locale is in compliance with Clean Air Act (CAA) standards.
An example of a system in danger of losing funding is AIRNow, an index for reporting daily air quality. These advisories are essential for those who need to judge the advisability of going outdoors.
Vehicle
Certification:
Cuts will impact the EPA's ability to evaluate and certify that new cars are in compliance with emission standards. The trickle down effect is that it stalls automobile purchases, and therefore, the economy.
Energy Star Program:
Most Americans are familiar with the Energy Star tag on new appliances. The facts listed give companies tools to set goals, and consumers disclosure and details on energy usage and emissions. In 2011, because of these insights, American utility bills were lowered by $23 billion. The reduced emissions in 2011 were equivalent to that of 41 million vehicles.
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