I recently read about the new regulations the Environmental Protection Agency has released limiting carbon pollution from existing power plants. These regulations are really exciting to see. The national government is finally taking action to address climate change. As a college student from Northfield, it’s really important to see strong action for many reasons.
Environmental racism is a serious problem in Minnesota, and we now have an opportunity to implement this regulations in a just way. Communities of color and low-income communities are located much closer to many sources of pollution, including power plants.
When talking about these regulations the news coverage has considered if they may be unfair to the power utilities, since they will have to reduce their pollution. Yet children in low-income communities of color face much higher rates of asthma, which is unfair and unacceptable.
Sam Neubauer is a resident of Northfield
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