EPA Finalizes Stronger Soot Pollution Standards Following Advocacy from Georgia Faith Communities

Feb 7

ATLANTA — Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced stronger soot pollution standards following advocacy efforts by faith communities in Georgia. Since 2023, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) has gathered over 700 comments from faith leaders and religiously affiliated environmental advocates urging the EPA to strengthen its ambient air quality standards, also known as soot.

Soot is a dangerous and deadly pollutant produced by power plants, tailpipes on cars and trucks, and industrial sources. It threatens public health and the environment, posing particular risks for children, seniors, and people with chronic illnesses. The announced decrease of acceptable soot from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter is a critical step forward in protecting our air, advancing environmental justice, and protecting the health of our communities.

“Over 730,000 adults and 240,000 children in Georgia suffer from asthma, with the disease disproportionately affecting black and brown communities and communities with lower incomes,” says Codi Norred, Executive Director of GIPL. “As people of faith, it is our moral responsibility to support these stronger soot pollution standards that protect Georgians' health and advance environmental justice. Everyone deserves clean air!”

GIPL celebrates this final soot rule and will continue to push for improvements to further strengthen the annual standard and the unchanged 24-hour standard so that the EPA can fully protect public health and limit spikes in soot pollution.

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Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that inspires and equips communities of faith to organize, implement practical climate solutions, and advocate across Georgia on issues of climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience. An affiliate of the national Interfaith Power and Light movement, GIPL envisions a Georgia where all people can flourish in a healthy environment, a stable climate, and resilient communities. Learn more at gipl.org.