Region 1: EPA New England
Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont & 10 Tribal Nations
Greenbytes: September 27, 2004 Edition
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
In this IssueGreetings 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.
EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt brought some good air quality news to New England during a recent stop in Concord, NH. Calling "today's air the cleanest most Americans have ever breathed," Leavitt unveiled a new report showing that emissions of acid rain-causing pollutants from New England’s power plants have fallen by over 50 percent since 1990. According to new EPA data, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions dropped 52 percent in New England over the past decade, from 365,000 tons in 1990 to an average of 176,000 tons a year between 2000 and 2003. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions fell even more dramatically – 68 percent – from 151,000 tons in 1990 to an average of 48,000 tons a year between 2000 and 2003. New England is also benefitting from SO2 and NOx reductions in states upwind from the region. Power plants in a dozen states adjacent to New England, including New York, West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana, posted a 37 percent reduction in annual SO2 emissions, from 8.1 million tons in 1990 to 5.2 million tons between 2000 and 2003. Meanwhile, NOx emissions fell by 38 percent, from 2.7 million tons to 1.7 million tons. The reductions have resulted in significant decreases in acid deposition in New England, particularly sulfate deposition which has fallen by 36 percent to 44 percent in the region's six states since the late 1980s. Unlike the Adirondack Mountains in New York, New England has not yet seen a significant drop in the number of acidified lakes and streams since 1990. The lack of improvement may be partly due to New England’s unique soil chemistry which has not yet regained its ability to neutralize acidity. But it is also a clear indicator that bigger reductions will be needed if these damaged water bodies are to have a chance at a full recovery. Leavitt says we can expect such reductions in the future under the soon-to-be-finalized Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). The rule, expected to be finalized this fall, will use the same cap-and-trade approach that the Acid Rain Program used, creating financial incentives for power plant operators to look for new and low-cost ways to reduce emissions early. CAIR will address power plant emissions in 29 eastern states, plus the District of Columbia. The program would cut SO2 by more than 40 percent from today's levels by 2010 and 70 percent when fully implemented. NOx emissions would be cut by 50 percent from today's levels by 2010 and 60 percent when fully implemented.
Press Releases Skowhegan, Maine Paper Company to Pay $78,000 Penalty for Clean Air Act Violations EPA and DEP Issue Discharge Permit for Marlborough Treatment Plant EPA Proposes Williston, Vermont Site to Superfund List EPA Administrator Praises Maine's Efforts to Curb School Bus Pollution NH Company Agrees to Pay $190,000 Penalty to Settle Clean Water Act Violations EPA Proposes Penalty Against Bridgeport, CT Company for Clean Air Act Violations
Events and conferences are not archived. Please refer to the Regional Calendar for upcoming events and conferences.
Environmental Justice - updated text EPA New England Lab - updated ems for nerl GE Pittsfield Superfund Site - 1.5 mile report Healthcare in New England - updated text New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site - sediment maps and data
"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. |
