Thank you to Journal Tribune staff writer Liz Gotthelf for alerting York County and the Maine people of the risks we face from ozone pollution and of the very real benefits for Maine of the Clean Power Plan.

As the “tail pipe” of the nation, Maine and especially the southern sections of our state, breathe more than our fair share of pollution produced elsewhere. As a doctor treating asthma and respiratory diseases it is troubling to see my young athletes sidelined by their asthma and my elderly patients struggling to get air.

Maine has one of the highest asthma rates in the nation. The American Lung Association and health care providers are urging the EPA to set a stronger ozone standard that protects our health, because we know that the current standard allows too much pollution that sickens people. Over the last decade Maine has already done much of the work in meeting cleaner air standards, and we no longer have any coal-fired power plants. It’s unfair that other states get cheap power at the expense of my patient’s and our own health. We need a strong ozone standard from the White House and the support of our Maine delegation. Maine can only benefit from the proposed standards. Let’s level the playing field (now).

Out-of-state industry groups are pumping millions into misleading advertising that will prevent stronger protection. Maine parents have a right to know if the air is healthy and safe for their kids to play outside. Ask your legislators to support the Clean Power Plan and the EPA to strengthen our ozone standard to reflect the best medical science.

Dr. Marguerite Pennoyer
Scarborough