American Lung Association Announces Support of Pi...( Nonprofit Recognizes that Clean Energ...),Health

Nonprofit Recognizes that Clean Energy Will Make Air Healthier to Breathe

NEW YORK, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association, a leader in the fight for cleaner air for decades, announced its support of the Pickens Plan at a press conference today with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and T. Boone Pickens, the legendary American business leader and philanthropist. Developed by Mr. Pickens, the Pickens Plan focuses on reducing America's dependence on foreign oil by investing in renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, and using America's vast resources of clean natural gas for fleet transportation.

Lung disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States. The American Lung Association is one of the foremost defenders of the Clean Air Act. The organization publishes the State of the Air Report each year, which ranks the nation's most polluted cities, and is a strategic leader on the impact of air quality on health.

"Every person is dependent upon clean air for health and vitality. Yet millions of Americans are consistently exposed to pollution at levels that are scientifically proven to be harmful. The American Lung Association applauds Mr. Pickens' goal of harnessing cleaner energy alternatives because cleaner energy will make our air healthier to breathe," said Steve Nolan, Chairman of the American Lung Association. "The American Lung Association is enthusiastic about engaging in this effort to build further support for the Pickens Plan. Cleaner energy, such as the wind and solar power that the Pickens Plan recommends, is a solution that we support."

Cars, trucks, heavy equipment, factories, power plants and other sources burn coal and oil and bombard the air with smog, soot, carcinogens, toxic chemicals and metals. Breathing dirty air causes hospitalizations, asthma attacks, heart attacks and lung cancer, as well as shortening the lives
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