Jump to main content.

Greenbytes: November 18, 2005 Edition

In this Issue

Greetings from EPA New England. We hope you find this edition of Greenbytes useful and we encourage you to give us feedback. For information on subscribing or unsubscribing see the section at the end of this message.


Feature: New England Celebrates 15 Years of Exceptional Air Quality Progress

This week marked the 15 year anniversary of passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. This landmark legislation, strengthening one of the cornerstones of American environmental protection, has led to significant improvements in air quality and public health benefits across New England and the United States.

The amendments were signed by President George H. W. Bush on Nov. 15th, 1990 to foster the growth of a strong American economy and industry while improving human health and the environment. To date, the public health benefits of the amendments outweigh the costs by four to one.

One of the highlights of the '90 Amendments was the Acid Rain Program. The innovative cap-and-trade market approach employed in the program has reduced nationwide emissions of sulfur dioxide by 5 million tons, and nitrogen oxides by 3 million tons, from 1990 levels. In addition to substantial health benefits, these reductions have led to a decline in acid deposition and fewer acidic lakes. According to the federal Office of Management and Budget, the Acid Rain Program has accounted for the largest quantified human health benefits of any federal regulatory program implemented in the last 10 years, with annual benefits exceeding costs by more than 40 to 1.

The clean air benefits are not limited to acid rain. Following the 1990 Amendments, much of New England was formally designated as out of compliance with the then-current 1-hour ozone standard. Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause serious breathing problems, and aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases. It can also make people who are vulnerable more susceptible to respiratory infection. By 2005, only monitors in Connecticut indicate that some areas continue to be out of compliance with that standard, showing that our programs to reduce emissions are working and that the air is cleaner than it was.

Under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, some of the measures implemented in New England include:

While these and other measures helped many areas meet the 1-hour ozone criteria, the standard itself has since been revised to an even more health-protective level, called the 8-hour ozone standard. Thus, currently ozone levels are considered unhealthy when average concentrations exceed 0.08 parts per million over an eight hour period.

EPA adopted the more stringent 8-hour standard after research showed that lower levels of ozone exposure over longer periods of time posed health risks not addressed in the 1-hour standard. Based on preliminary data collected this summer, there were 26 days when ozone monitors in New England recorded concentrations above the new 8-hour ozone standard (see: http://www.epa.gov/region1/airquality/nattainm.html ).

The 1990 Amendments also helped regulators to target pollution from particles. Fifteen years ago, Presque Isle, Maine and New Haven, Conn. were designated as out of compliance with EPA’s standard for coarse particulate matter (PM10). Today, all of New England is meeting the PM10 standard and the Agency is currently working with states to implement a more health-protective fine particle standard. Annual average PM10 concentrations decreased 29 percent in the Northeast between 1988 and 2003.

Immediately following the ‘90 Amendments, the metropolitan Boston area as well as both southwest and central Connecticut, were classified as moderate nonattainment for carbon monoxide (CO), meaning that these areas were not meeting the CO standard of 9 parts per million averaged over an 8-hour period. Today, all of New England is meeting the CO standard.

Emissions of several categories of air pollutants have decreased significantly since 1990. Specifically, New England has experienced the following decreases in emissions between 1990 and 2002 (the most recent year for which we have quality assured emissions data): NOx (34 percent); VOC (36 percent); CO (32 percent); and sulfur dioxide (51 percent).

The Agency has also taken a number of additional steps to further reduce air pollution.

Since 2004, new cars, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans are meeting stringent new emission standards. Requirements being phased in through 2009 are resulting in vehicles that are 77 to 95 percent cleaner than older models.

The program also requires a 90 percent reduction in the sulfur content of gasoline, which is helping reduce emissions from all vehicles new and old. Beginning in 2007, EPA’s standards for new diesel trucks and buses will reduce NOx and particulate matter emissions by 90 percent. In addition, EPA is requiring a 97 percent reduction in the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel starting in Oct. 2006.

We are also continuing to address air pollution challenges resulting from the transport of pollution from areas upwind of New England. In March 2005, EPA finalized the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to help reduce the transport of air pollution from power plants across state boundaries. When fully implemented, CAIR will reduce power plant NOx emissions by over 60 percent and sulfur dioxide by over 70 percent from 2003 levels.

Reflecting on the significant advances made in our air quality in the past fifteen years since passage of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments should make us all proud of our accomplishments. Credit should go not solely to EPA, but also to our state environmental counterparts, to citizens and organizations working productively toward finding solutions to environmental concerns, and to the political leaders who showed vision and foresight in this strong legislation. Because of this work, people have cleaner air to breath.

Related Information

Back to Top
Brief Bytes

New Opportunity for Public Comment on Regulating Mercury Emissions from Utilities
EPA is granting requests for additional comment on the first-ever rule to regulate mercury emissions from power plants. Finalized in March, 2005, these rules will result in approximately 70 percent reductions in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants when fully implemented. Interested members of the public will now have an additional opportunity to comment on portions of the “112 Revision” rule, which outlines the methods EPA used to assess the amount of utility-attributable mercury levels in fish tissue and the public health implications of those levels, and the legal issues underlying the decision. The agency will also take comment on certain aspects of the Clean Air Mercury Rule, the cap-and-trade approach that EPA will use to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. The public comment period will remain open until Dec. 19.

For more information, including how to submit comments, see: http://www.epa.gov/mercuryrule/fs20051021a.html and http://www.epa.gov/mercuryrule/fs20051021b.html

First Draft “Staff Paper” on Ground-Level Ozone Issued
An initial draft of the staff paper on ground-level ozone has been released for review, as part of a process to gather public, technical and scientific input to ensure that federal air quality standards reflect the latest air pollution and health effects research. The draft staff paper, "Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone," includes scientific and technical information about ozone related health and welfare effects, initial results from a human exposure analysis and health risk assessment, and discussion of a planned vegetation-related environmental assessment. This initial draft staff paper does not provide staff recommendations as to whether or not to change current standards; rather, it is a preliminary step in a process required by the Clean Air Act to periodically assess the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and five other major pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. The law also requires EPA to periodically review the standards to ensure that they provide adequate health and environmental protection, and to update those standards as necessary. EPA last updated the ozone standards in 1997.

Draft Staff Paper: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/ozone/s_o3_cr_sp.html
Summary: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/ozone/s_o3_plain.html

TRI Data - Early Release of Reporting Year 2004
To better inform communities, EPA has released the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) facility-level data for Reporting Year 2004. These data are being released through the Electronic Facility Data Release (e-FDR), which displays the TRI data exactly as received by EPA - one form for each chemical at a facility. Many stakeholders have requested that EPA share TRI data sooner and in the format received, without waiting for further analysis. The e-FDR is intended to get data to communities faster - not to replace the traditional data release with quality checks, national trends and analysis. This more refined release will be published in spring 2006. As called for by both the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986 and the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, TRI provides the American public with vital information on chemical releases, including disposal, for their communities.

The e-FDR : http://www.epa.gov/tri-efdr

Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Transition Extended 45 Days
To facilitate the transition to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD), EPA is providing a 45-day extension for terminals and retail outlets to comply with the 15 ppm standard, moving the retail compliance date to Oct. 15, 2006. During this extended transition period, diesel fuel meeting a 22 ppm level can be marketed as ULSD at the pump. The agency does not expect to adjust the schedule again.

The 45-day extension does not affect the start date for refineries to be producing ULSD fuel. The reason for the extension is that some in the fuel distribution industry had indicated that on the current schedule, ULSD may not be available at a small number of retail outlets. The revised transition dates will cause some manufacturers of diesel engines and vehicles to delay their introduction of the 2007 models that must use ULSD exclusively. However, because these changes will help ensure the universal availability of ULSD, the engine and vehicle industry has indicated that these limited changes are acceptable. This transition to ULSD will help ensure that the full environmental benefits of EPA’s historic Clean Diesel Program will be achieved.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/diesel/diesel.htm#dfr-concurrent

EPA Releases Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2005
Meeting the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and other management legislation, EPA this week released the Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2005. The 1993 GPRA requires federal agencies to report to Congress annually on the results of their activities during the fiscal year. Among the report's highlights:

More information: http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/finstatement/2005par

165 Research Fellowships Awarded
EPA awarded 165 research fellowships through three programs for students pursuing degrees in environmental studies, with a total of nearly $10 million in awards. The agency sponsors several fellowship programs designed to ensure a well-trained scientific workforce that can address future environmental issues.

The Science to Achieve Results (STAR) graduate fellowship program supports masters and doctoral candidates in environmental fields at accredited U.S. colleges or universities. For 2005 awards, more than 1700 applicants competed for 128 STAR fellowships. Research fellows represent 110 universities in 43 states and the District of Columbia, with students pursuing degrees in biology, toxicology, ecology and environmental sciences. A 2002 National Academy of Sciences report rated the STAR program as outstanding and concluded that STAR research has improved the scientific foundation for decision making at EPA.

The Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) fellowship program funds undergraduate and graduate students conducting environmental research at universities that receive $50 million or less in annual federal research funds. Students at schools with substantial minority enrollment are encouraged to apply for GRO fellowships, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Native American Tribal Colleges. More than 260 GRO applicants competed this year for 37 awards.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow

Sampling Results Released On Superfund Sites In Louisiana
Between Sept. 30 and Oct. 14, 2005, a team of EPA contractors collected samples at National Priority List (NPL, aka Superfund) sites in Louisiana to assess if Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had any impact on remedies completed at those sites. Soil samples were collected at Mallard Bay Landing in Grand Cherniere. Ground water samples were collected at Gulf Coast Vacuum in Abbeville; and surface water samples were collected at Gulf States Utilities in Lake Charles. Sample results indicate the remedies at all three sites were not affected.

Specific test results: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/katrina/emkatrina.html

Information about assessment of all NPL sites affected by the hurricanes is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/katrina/superfund.html

Last Chance: Apply for Environmental Education Grants by Nov. 23
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/e68221692a2177fb852572a000650c03/c23ddb47369816b2852570cf00461aaa!OpenDocument

 

Back to Top
Press Releases

Automatically receive all EPA New England news releases: http://www.epa.gov/region1/pr/pr-ne-subscribe.html

Nov. 16:

Nov. 15:

Nov. 10:

 

Back to Top
Meetings & Conferences

MMR Impact Area Review Team
Tues. Nov. 22

Index of December meetings

Back to Top
What's New on the Web

RSS Now Available for EPA New England info:

Greater Boston Breathes Better partnership

Diesel Exhaust - updated

Energy & New England’s Environment

Job Opportunity - NPDES permits

Storm Water NOIs - Remediation & Misc.

GE - Housatonic site - On-site Consolidation Areas

GE - Housatonic site - Newell St. Area 2

GE - Housatonic site - 1.5 Mile, Oct. monthly report

GE - Housatonic site - The Site, Oct. monthly report

Brunswick Air Station - Five year review

Brownfields team - updated contact list

Pease AFB - Site reuse profile

Raymark site - Five year review

Back to Top
In The News Daily Email Service

"In The News" is a free daily service that provides links to today's top newspaper stories about the New England environment and links to related EPA New England information.

In The News Email Service: As soon as today's edition of "In The News" has been posted we will inform you via email.

Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, & Tribal Nations

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.