I ask our senators and congressional representatives; what is your number?
We need to look at the numbers when considering and voting on policy. In this case I focus on environmental policy. Tell us what you see and why you support a policy. Tell us why we should like the numbers. What is your target number to decide for or against a specific policy?
Any change in policy or regulations will change the numbers. Mr. Trump advised that evaluations and changes to regulations must include thier economic impact. He stressed “...on businesses.” Absolutely. We need to know more. We need to know the overall impact for all stakeholders, not just the single business expense item of “...compliance."
Dead people do create an economic impact. Dead people also create a political impact. They are voters, as are thier families, friends, and neighbors. Are dead people part of your equation?
A change in environmental policy which allows for an increase in toxic effluent a business generates and distributes into our common air and water will cause increased harm to our environment and our population. There is no doubt. There is no debate. If you object to this, please enjoy a fresh fish dinner from Clear Lake in California. This lake was contaminated with Mercury during the gold rush of 1849 and will never recover. Mercury kills people. It was first identified as toxic to humans in 1885, accompanied by the term “Mad as a Hatter.” This was a real issue of elemental mercury absorbed through skin contact as hatters worked the felt. It is in our best interest to remove Mercury from our food chain. To do otherwise becomes madness.
Coal power plants in the US now generate 50% of our human caused Mercury pollution. Mercury emission from coal power plants is identified as the root cause of 4,000 to 11,000 deaths per year. I ask, what number of people do you find acceptable to die each year while still supporting a continuation and potential increase in toxic pollution such as Mercury? Please give us guidance such as "no more than x number of people will die each year to save x number of dollars per year."
Mercury is only one of many toxic substances being generated and distributed throughout the country every day. Our lungs are now filtering these pollutants and, in the case of Mercury, slowly accumulating enough to kill us.
My take on this is that if my neighbor started throwing his trash over the fence into my yard, i would call the police very quickly. Stop this nonsense of pretending debate on climate change while ignoring many well known threats to the health of every American.