December 2015
The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act
(H.R. 22) was signed into law December 4, 2015 by President Obama. The FAST Act is a five-year, $305 billion reauthorization of federal surface transportation policy. The law includes increased funding for bicycling and pedestrian projects ($850 million per year by 2018 and through 2020) such as “Safe Routes to Schools” and the first-ever federal “Complete Streets” language. Public health advocates, including Trust for America's Health (TFAH), are encouraged to work with federal and state partners to learn more about the next steps for implementation and how transportation policy can help promote healthier communities.
Introduced: 01/06/2015 Signed into Law: 12/04/2015
(H.R. 22) was signed into law December 4, 2015 by President Obama. The FAST Act is a five-year, $305 billion reauthorization of federal surface transportation policy. The law includes increased funding for bicycling and pedestrian projects ($850 million per year by 2018 and through 2020) such as “Safe Routes to Schools” and the first-ever federal “Complete Streets” language. Public health advocates, including Trust for America's Health (TFAH), are encouraged to work with federal and state partners to learn more about the next steps for implementation and how transportation policy can help promote healthier communities.
Introduced: 01/06/2015 Signed into Law: 12/04/2015
October 2015
EPA Sets New National Air Quality Standard at a Lower Level
The Clean Power Act mandates that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the national air quality standards for ozone pollution. On October 1st, the EPA officially lowered the standard, previously set at 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb. The APHA had called for a stricter standard, based on scientific evidence presented by the EPA Integrated Science Assessment, the Health Risk and Exposure Assessment and the Policy Assessment, which showed that 60 ppb would be the ideal level for the health of the population. Nonetheless, this new standard will protect many people, particularly at-risk populations such as children, those with lung diseases including asthma, and older people. Additionally, it will also improve the health of trees, plants and ecosystems, making the outdoors a safer place to be.
The Clean Power Act mandates that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the national air quality standards for ozone pollution. On October 1st, the EPA officially lowered the standard, previously set at 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb. The APHA had called for a stricter standard, based on scientific evidence presented by the EPA Integrated Science Assessment, the Health Risk and Exposure Assessment and the Policy Assessment, which showed that 60 ppb would be the ideal level for the health of the population. Nonetheless, this new standard will protect many people, particularly at-risk populations such as children, those with lung diseases including asthma, and older people. Additionally, it will also improve the health of trees, plants and ecosystems, making the outdoors a safer place to be.
September 2015
The Clean Power Plan aims to reduce carbon pollution from power plants by 32% by year 2030
Power plants are the largest source of carbon emissions in the world and are the largest contributors to climate change. Climate change is inextricably tied to public health because the harmful effects of climate change, including air pollution, have increased the cases of asthma, injury, and cardiovascular disease. The Clean Power Plan is projected to prevent 3,600 premature deaths in the United States, 90,000 asthma attacks among children, and 300,000 missed days of school and work.
The Clean Power Plan was initially proposed in 2014, but the final rule was added in August of 2015. The plan specifies standards for existing power plants, but states will have the ability to develop plans tailored to their specific needs.
Power plants are the largest source of carbon emissions in the world and are the largest contributors to climate change. Climate change is inextricably tied to public health because the harmful effects of climate change, including air pollution, have increased the cases of asthma, injury, and cardiovascular disease. The Clean Power Plan is projected to prevent 3,600 premature deaths in the United States, 90,000 asthma attacks among children, and 300,000 missed days of school and work.
The Clean Power Plan was initially proposed in 2014, but the final rule was added in August of 2015. The plan specifies standards for existing power plants, but states will have the ability to develop plans tailored to their specific needs.