Mr. Chairman, air pollution is one of the most pressing environmental health issues that we face. By some estimates, power plant emissions cause as many as 1,100 premature deaths in New Jersey each year. My state has extremely high smog-caused by NOx emissions-which exacerbates asthma and other respiratory ailments. SOx emissions are responsible for both ecological damage from acid rain and health impacts from fine particles. As a coastal state, we have many anglers, and I know they are concerned about high levels of mercury in fish.
Finally, carbon dioxide emissions from power plants are major contributors to global warming. The events of the last couple weeks have underscored the need for U.S. action on climate change. Power plant emissions seems like a good place for us to start looking for solutions.
Mr. Chairman, power plants are certainly not the only sources of these pollutants. But they are major sources, and I look forward to working with you to find market-based means of reducing their emissions of these four pollutants.