Just got back from today’s public hearing regarding the EPA’s proposed new surface ozone standard. Matthew Elliott, from Kaiser South Sac, spoke on behalf of RNs everywhere about the need to confront and tackle the negative health effects of air pollution on our communities. We were the only Union in attendance and Matt’s comments, delivered from the perspective of a direct care RN, clearly had a profound impact on the panel.

We were joined today, of course, by the Sierra Club, who led the way with fantastic comments and analysis. During a lunch break, SC held a rally at Cesar Chavez Plaza Park across the street from the hearing location. There, over a hundred students from across CA joined with members from almost a dozen community, religious, and environmental groups to demand a more stringent smog standard.

Nurses were the highlight of the rally. More than 50 were attending a CE class nearby, and they marched down J Street in red scrubs and surgical masks, chanting Clean Air Is Health Care (led by Kevin Baker, Michael Unimuke, Maryanne Henke, and others, who did a fantastic job keeping up with the changing logistics.) The group in Cesar Chavez heard us coming down the street and took up our chants. Once we arrived, students and community allies grabbed our signs and joined with the nurses in denouncing industry efforts to loosen air quality standards.

Even the EPA administrators were impressed with the rally. They mentioned it right before the afternoon session began, where Matt and I gave our comments. All in all, I think it was a great success.

On the policy/analysis side of the equation, we still have a lot of work to do. The final rules will not be published until about Oct. 2015. This is a complicated issue with important consequences for the working class. I was able to follow the industry’s comments and am confident we can undermine their arguments and agenda. SC and others would also provide an excellent source for sound policy analysis. Our final written comments are due March 17, so thankfully, there’s time to work.

Thanks for inviting me to participate. Had a blast.

Brendan