New EPA Report Shows Clear Health, Economic Benefits from Clean Air Act

(Washington, D.C. — March 1, 2011) EPA today released a new report, Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act, showing that the landmark public-health bill has improved both the U.S. economy and the quality of life for Americans.

The study found the benefits of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments exceeded its costs by wide margins. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) released the following statement in response:

“We have always known that safeguarding human health is one of the wisest investments we can make. Now we have scientific data that shows the Clean Air Act pays for itself thirty times over. This report is the definitive word on the economics of the Clean Air Act. It is the most comprehensive, independent and peer-reviewed study that has been done, and it shows conclusively that the Clean Air Act is a fantastic deal. If anyone still doubts that America can afford to do the right thing, this report should settle the matter. Cleaner air will unquestionably improve our health, our economy, and our lives.”

 - Fred Krupp, EDF President

EPA has more information on their web site.  EDF also has experts available today to talk about the report in more detail.

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Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading national nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships. See twitter.com/EnvDefenseFund; facebook.com/EnvDefenseFund