Sponsors (9)
The resolution highlights evidence that cutting particulate pollution from fossil-fuel sources could produce large public-health and fiscal benefits for millions, but achieving those gains risks higher energy costs, localized job and economic disruption, and uneven benefits for frontline communities unless accompanied by transition and equity measures.
About 80 million people living near fossil-fuel power plants — including children, people with asthma or heart/lung disease, and low-income communities — would likely experience lower particulate exposure, leading to fewer respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, fewer premature deaths, and reduced long-term lung cancer risk if policymakers act on the findings.
Taxpayers, hospitals, and health systems could see a lower public-health burden and reduced healthcare costs if reductions in particulate matter prevent illness among the affected populations.
Electricity customers and taxpayers may face higher utility and energy costs if reducing PM from fossil-fuel sources requires expensive pollution controls or fuel switching.
Energy workers and local economies in communities dependent on fossil-fuel plants could experience job losses and economic disruption if plants are retired or heavily restricted without robust transition plans.
Low-income and frontline communities could see delayed or uneven benefits, worsening environmental justice outcomes unless any regulatory follow-up includes targeted equity and implementation measures.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Expresses congressional findings that PM pollution causes serious health harms and that fossil fuel combustion is the largest U.S. source; does not create new law or funding.
Recognizes and states findings about the harmful health effects of fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution and identifies combustion of fossil fuels as the largest U.S. source. The resolution highlights links between PM exposure and cardiovascular and respiratory disease, increased stroke and lung cancer risk, reduced lung growth in children, and the large number of people — including millions of children — who live near fossil fuel–fired power plants.
Official title: Recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death.
Introduced December 17, 2025 by Sheldon Whitehouse · Last progress December 17, 2025