Albany, NY – In response to The Supreme Court’s decision to block EPA’s ability to regulate air pollution, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, released the following statement:

“The Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) decision to block this environmental regulation blatantly disregards the future of our environment and the physical well-being of New Yorkers for the next several generations. Pollution from upwind states, such as Ohio, contribute to a poor quality of air in our state, which has resulted in chaotic emergency rooms, New Yorkers developing asthma symptoms and even premature deaths. For this reason, the Caucus has championed initiatives like SCALE (Survey of Climate change and Adirondack Lakes Ecosystems), which is a three-year study of 400 lakes in the Adirondack region that will provide critical data about air and water pollution in our state, protecting New Yorkers with asthma and teaching us about the role our lakes will play in fighting climate change.

The Court’s pause will negatively impact communities of color more than anyone else, as evidence has shown that Black Americans are 1.5 times more likely to develop asthma than anyone else in this country. The Environmental Protection Agency’s “Good Neighbor Plan” was devised to reduce the overall influx of air pollution to downwind states such as New York. It is now up to these affected states to work with the EPA to control this pollution that is making its way over state lines. We will continue to work with environmental groups and other agencies as we continue to fight for greater regulation and environmental justice for New Yorkers.”