The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
This rule requires power plants across the Eastern United States to reduce their emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which contribute to the formation of fine particle and ozone pollution. According to public health experts, those types of pollution are linked to premature death, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. It’s not only important to the people that live near these power plants, but also to the families in “downwind” states along the East coast, because pollution from other regions drifts across state lines and settles in their air. The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule will save up to 34,000 lives and prevent up to 400,000 asthma attacks per year.
Status: the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule was final last July and was due to start taking effect in January of this year. However, opponents sued and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a stay pending judicial review. That means the rule is on hold for now. The court is expected to hear arguments in the case in April, and could rule any time after that.
READ MORE:
How Western Coal Travels: The The Most Polluting, Lethal Power Plants
Cross-State Pollution: Cleaning New England’s Air
10 Reasons To Stop Rand Paul’s Attack On The “Good Neighbor” Rule
Support Good Neighbor Rule
MORE REGULATIONS EVERY MOTHER SHOULD LOVE:
Cement Air Toxics Standards
Ground Level Ozone and Particle Pollution
Fuel Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
Mercury and Air Toxics
Photo: Grain Edit