Media Campaign Blames Utilities for Children’s Health Problems

[Guest guest]

Media Campaign Blames Utilities for Children’s Health Problems

EarthVision Reports

07/28/99

PHILADELPHIA, July 28, 1999 – The Safe Energy Communications Council (SECC)

along with several of Pennsylvania's environmental groups launched a media

campaign linking smog produced by coal fired power plants to children’s

health problems such as asthma and other respiratory problems. According to

PR Newswire, the 60-second radio commercials to be aired throughout the

summer are designed to educate the public about what causes the polluted air

and what they can do about it.

According to Jeanne K. , SECC’s Pennsylvania’s Media Coordinator, old

coal fired power plants contribute as much air pollution as 5 million cars.

Many of the plants operate under a loophole in the Clean Air Act which

" grandfathers " pollution from power plants constructed before 1977.

According to the article, the radio commercials urge listeners to buy

Green-e certified electricity that is made with cleaner renewable technology

thus producing less pollution. In addition the campaign encourages the

public to put pressure on Congress and the industry to reduce emissions from

these power plants.