People of faith are rejoicing that the U.S. Senate voted 46-53 to uphold limits on mercury emissions and other toxic pollutants. The Senate defeated an attempt by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) and the coal industry to overturn federal regulations aimed at curbing pollution from the nation’s power plants.
“This bipartisan vote showed that people of good will can come together to protect Creation and care for our most vulnerable neighbors,” said the Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, president of The Regeneration Project and its Interfaith Power & Light campaign. “Corporate polluters are no match for Americans from all faith traditions who spoke out boldly to protect pregnant women and their babies from mercury in our air.”
“Our nation is transitioning from the dirty fuels of the past to cleaner energy that will create new jobs and protect God’s gifts of clean air and a sustainable climate,” Bingham added. “Today’s vote was an important signal that we are moving in a direction that will preserve Creation and protect human health.”