The letter “EPA’s new soot standards welcome” (Jan. 16, TribLIVE) from a PennEnvironment activist suffers from the same tunnel vision that the EPA does. They both say that tighter standards to reduce soot will save thousands of lives in the U.S. each year. But the EPA and activists never look at the “benefit” side of the equation, just the “costs.”
Transportation, for instance, is a major contributor to soot levels. So, let’s reduce transportation usage, lower our soot levels and save those lives the EPA claims are at risk. Now, ask yourself, how many other lives would be lost because of fewer cars taking people to their jobs to support their families? Or if trucks can’t get food to grocery stores? Or if fire trucks and ambulances aren’t addressing emergencies?
Nobody knows because environmental analysts never look at problems that way. They start from the foolish fantasy that our lives can be lived the way they are presently, and human civilization can function without any environmental impact whatsoever.
Mike Stanton
Beechview
The writer is business manager for Boilermakers Local Union #154 and a member of Pittsburgh Works Together.