Green Newton

GN is posting the following action alert put out by Clean Water Action. We encourage you to contact Representative Kennedy regarding this important issue.

ACTION ALERT: Urge Representative Kennedy to Fix the Toxic Substances Control Act! Call today.

Congress is on the cusp of passing a national law that would help fix our broken federal policy that does not protect us from dangerous chemicals. The new law reforms the decades-old Toxic Substances Control Act and could give EPA real authority to protect our children by regulating dangerous chemicals in consumer products for the first time ever.

But there’s one problem. There’s a provision in the bill that would take away a state’s right to regulate dangerous chemicals while EPA is involved in a lengthy rule making process. With rates of cancer, asthma, and other health issues linked with chemical exposure skyrocketing, we can’t afford to wait for the federal government to act.

Congressman Joe Kennedy is on the committee that is working on the legislation, HR2576. Newton residents need to call Representative Kennedy’s office at 202-225- 5931 today! Ask him to work to make sure that states have the right to set their own standards. (You might talk to his staffer is named Devin.)

Here’s a script to use for your call. “Hi, my name is ___________, and I live in  _________. I’m calling about the legislation on toxic chemicals, bill number HR 2576. I am very concerned that Congress is trying to take away a state’s right to pass legislation to protect our families. This could leave millions of us exposed to toxic chemicals for years while we wait for the federal government to act.  I know the bill you supported in the house last year didn’t allow this, and I am calling today to urge you to continue to advocate for our state’s right to set its own protective standards.”