Tuesday, August 9, 2011

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Niger Innis (702) 633-4464

DATE: August 8, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

*** The Affordable Power Alliance petitions EPA to perform an Environmental Justice (EJ) Analysis Examining increased Electricity Prices and Job Losses Under Power Plant Rules

Las Vegas, Nevada --- Niger Innis, spokesman for the Affordable Power Alliance (APA), an ad hoc coalition of civil rights, African American, Latino, small business, senior citizens and faith-based advocacy organizations, announced that the APA has petitioned the EPA to prepare a full analysis of the effect that increased energy prices and job losses stemming from EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics (MATS) Rule and other power plant regulations will have on low-income and minority populations.

Mr. Innis said, "The EPA failed to address a key EJ concern, which is that the MATS rule, along with EPA's other power sector regulations, will increase electric rates to consumers. These rate increases will cause disproportionate harm to minority, fixed-income and low-income populations.

"This harm will include harm to health, as individuals within these populations will have less disposable income to spend on health care, food, cooling and heating, and housing."

Jim Martin, 60 Plus Chairman and member of the APA said, "EPA must address the disproportionate health impacts of its proposed rule on fixed-income and low-income seniors.

"For some reason, EPA chose not to consider the effect of the MATS rule cumulatively with its other power sector rules.

"EPA's own EJ Guide specifically provides for cumulative risk assessments as a part of environmental justice analyses. They need to follow their own rules."

Mr. Innis also serves as the National Spokesman for the Congress of Racial Equality.

60 Plus is the largest conservative seniors group in the nation.

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