EPA gets tough on cross-state air pollution
Submitted by scharrison on Wed, 07/13/2011 - 12:44pm
A step in the right direction:
The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule reduces the amount of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution that power plants in 27 eastern states are allowed to emit. The new, tougher standards will save the lives of an estimated 1,900 or more North Carolinians annually, Regan says, by easing the health complications of these dangerous pollutants.
You better believe there will be a significant pushback from the coal-burners, giving us one more good reason to keep the White House and recover our Congressional majorities. More from the EPA:
On July 6, 2011, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that protects the health of millions of Americans by helping states reduce air pollution and attain clean air standards. This rule, known as the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), requires 27 states to significantly improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that contribute to ozone and/or fine particle pollution in other states.
This rule replaces EPA's 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). A December 2008 court decision kept the requirements of CAIR in place temporarily but directed EPA to issue a new rule to implement Clean Air Act requirements concerning the transport of air pollution across state boundaries. This action responds to the court's concerns.
When I get a chance I'll compare these new emissions numbers with Titan's (projected) emissions, but I have a hunch their Sulfur Dioxide was already pushing the limit.
Clean Smokestacks Law?
How does this new rule impact NC's Clean Smokestacks law that's supposed to be cleaning up emissions, too?
Not sure yet
But I don't think it could hurt us even if the EPA's new rules are more lenient than our current rules. My reading of the new (NCGA) policy leads me to understand that "no stronger than Federal rules" part only applies to new rules DENR is thinking about promulgating. But I could be wrong about that.