EPA issues controversial air particulate rules
I chose this post from the Chicago Tribune becuase we have gone over particulate matter in class and just saw the video on China’s air pollution. Clean air activists and utilities had different reactions to new rules directing 20 U.S. states to slash levels of PM emitted by power plants, cars and other sources by 2010. Unfortunately, there are about 88 million people in 200 counties that live in areas where the particulate matter level exceeds the limit set by the EPA.
As we have learned, exposure to the particles can lead to heart disease, lung disease, bronchitis, asthma, and even death. To combat this, Governors of affected states must give EPA their cleanup plans by February 2008, and designated areas must lower particulate pollution to what the agency considers to be a safe level by 2010. However, clean air advocates called the rules “a dirty power industry protection plan,” and said they may actually hamper states’ ability to clean up air pollution.
The clean air advocates’ assumption comes from the fact that plants could comply with requirements by purchasing “emission credits” established by a nationwide “cap-and-trade” program proposed by the White House.
The EPA said that most states that violate federal clean air rules are clustered around the Midwest, which has the most coal-fired generation, and in Northeast states between Washington, D.C., and New York. Counties with the most severe problems get even a greater amount of time to lower the PM. This is obviously not good for the people or the environment, and could be considered a big step backward. Hopefully action will be taken to overturn this plan and a new plan with more immediate action to this crisis will be drawn up.
