Cox among 22 Republican governors urging pause to new EPA air quality rule
Cox among 22 Republican governors urging pause to new EPA air quality rule Daily Herald
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Utah Governor and Republican Governors Call for EPA to Pause New Air Quality Rule
Spenser Heaps, Utah News Dispatch
Gov. Spencer Cox poses for a photo in the Gold Room at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 13: Climate Action
Introduction
Utah Governor Spencer Cox and 21 other Republican governors have called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pause its new rule that limits fine particles in the air. The governors argue that the new rule will have a disproportionate impact on rural communities.
Background
In a letter addressed to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the governors expressed concerns about the new rule, which changes the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter. The rule is scheduled to take effect on May 6. The governors believe that rural communities and businesses will face higher costs per capita to make air quality changes and will struggle to meet the new standards.
Impact on Sustainable Development Goals
The governors’ request to pause the new air quality rule is relevant to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – The governors argue that the rule could have harmful health impacts on rural communities.
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The governors highlight the challenges that rural communities will face in meeting the new air quality standards.
- Goal 13: Climate Action – The governors mention that a significant portion of PM 2.5 pollution in Utah comes from wildfires on federal land, emphasizing the need for federal forest management to address air quality issues.
EPA’s Perspective
The EPA defends the new rule, stating that it aims to protect millions of Americans from harmful health impacts, such as heart attacks and premature death. The agency also emphasizes that particle pollution, or soot, is one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution.
List of Signatories
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
About North Dakota Monitor
North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. For more information, contact Editor Amy Dalrymple at info@northdakotamonitor.com. Follow North Dakota Monitor on Facebook and Twitter.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses the Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule that limits fine particles in the air. This rule aims to reduce air pollution, which is directly linked to the health and well-being of individuals. By addressing air pollution, the article connects to SDG 3.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article mentions the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, specifically focusing on air quality. The call for the EPA to pause its new rule highlights the importance of managing air pollution in cities, aligning with SDG 11.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article indirectly touches on climate action by discussing the impact of wildfires on air quality. The governors argue that punishing states for the impact on air quality caused by federal failure to manage their own forests is unfair. This highlights the need for climate action measures to prevent and manage wildfires, connecting to SDG 13.
SDG 15: Life on Land
The article mentions the impact of federal failure to manage forests on air quality. This highlights the importance of sustainable forest management and the need to halt deforestation and restore degraded forests. Therefore, the article connects to SDG 15.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
The article addresses the issue of air pollution and its impact on health. By calling for a pause in the new rule that limits fine particles in the air, the governors aim to reduce air pollution-related illnesses and deaths, aligning with Target 3.9.
Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
The article highlights the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, specifically focusing on air quality. The governors’ concern about the impact of the new rule on rural communities suggests a need to address the adverse environmental impact of cities, connecting to Target 11.6.
Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
Although not directly mentioned in the article, the discussion of wildfires and their impact on air quality implies the need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, such as wildfires. This aligns with Target 13.1.
Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
The article highlights the impact of federal failure to manage forests on air quality. This emphasizes the importance of sustainable forest management, halting deforestation, and restoring degraded forests, connecting to Target 15.2.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, indicators such as air quality index, number of air pollution-related illnesses and deaths, forest cover percentage, and wildfire occurrence can be used to measure progress towards these targets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. | Indicator not mentioned in the article. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: heraldextra.com
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