US lawmakers urge EPA to keep air pollution rule
Date: 28-Jan-02
Country: USA
In a letter to EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, the 45 Democrats, 7 Republicans and 1 independent said the agency should maintain a rule requiring aging coal-fired power plants to install air pollution equipment when a plant is expanded or refurbished.
Northeastern states are especially concerned about the air pollution rule because most of the power plants affected are located in the Midwest and their emissions are blown across state lines by prevailing winds.
"We in the Northeast are doing our utmost to provide both reliable energy and a healthy environment for our citizens," said the letter, which was spearheaded by Massachusetts Rep. Edward Markey, a Democrat.
The EPA has been working on an overhaul of the Clean Air Act's so-called "new source review" rules, which were strictly enforced by the Clinton administration.
The rules exempted electric power plants, oil refineries and other industrial plants built before 1977 from installing expensive air pollution equipment unless they made significant modifications or repairs to the facilities.
The industry and the Bush administration claim the regulations prevent more refineries and power plants from being built or expanded, which in turn reduces available energy supplies.
Green groups say the strict rules are essential to protect citizens against sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. Both are harmful to children, the elderly and people with asthma.
Some Northeast state attorneys general have said they will sue the Bush administration if it attempts to weaken the rule.
The EPA has declined comment on its review of the rules.
