Breathe Freely or Die Trying | Virginia Beach News

New federal energy policies, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, threaten thousands of American lives each year—projected to cause 7,400 deaths, 19,000 childhood asthma cases, and 170 lung cancer diagnoses over the next 15 years. These moves undo 56 years of EPA protections, repealing critical air toxics rules that once limited mercury, arsenic, and lead from coal plants—pollutants especially dangerous to children and pregnant women. Personal stories, like a mother’s agonizing battle with respiratory illness, underscore the human cost. Rollbacks on tailpipe emissions and ignoring health impacts in policy decisions further endanger public well-being. As the Statue of Liberty’s promise of refuge now symbolizes the desperate need for clean air, the call is clear: leaders must prioritize the right to breathe. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/8abd946dca6aaed8