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EPA's Dec. 17, 1999 action
on Section 126 Petitions, regarding regional
transport of smog (ozone), will affect NC and VA
emissions
On December 17,
1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
granted petitions filed by four northeastern
states seeking to reduce ozone pollution (smog)
through reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions
from other states.
In accordance with the Clean Air Act ,
EPA is taking final action on petitions filed by
eight northeastern states seeking to mitigate
interstate transport of nitrogen oxides (NOx),
one of the precursors of ground-level
ozone.
The petitions were filed under Section
126 of the Clean Air Act, which gives any state
the authority to ask EPA to set emissions limits
for specific sources of pollution in other states
that significantly contribute to its air quality
problems.
EPA is granting four of eight petitions
filed in August 1997 for the 1-hour ozone
standard: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York,
and Pennsylvania.
As a result of this action, 392
facilities in 12 states, which includes North
Carolina and Virginia, will have to reduce annual
emissions by a total of nearly 510,000 tons from
2007 levels.
EPA finds that power plants and
industrial boilers and turbines in North Carolina
significantly contribute to ozone nonattainment
in the petitioning states of Connecticut, New
York, and Pennsylvania. 27 power plants and 8
industrial facilities, including paper companies,
in North Carolina will need to reduce NOx
emissions. After the EPA action, EPA estimates
that North Carolina
facilities will have reduced 56,487 tons of
NOx emissions or 62 percent of the current level.
In addition, EPA finds that power plants
and industrial boilers and turbines in Virginia
significantly contribute to ozone nonattainment
in the petitioning states of Connecticut, New
York, and Pennsylvania. 27 power plants and 9
industrial facilities, including paper and oil
companies, in Virginia will need to reduce NOx
emissions. After the EPA action, EPA estimates
that Virginia
facilities will have reduced 26,454 tons of
NOx emissions or 55 percent of the current level.
According to the EPA, this action will
provide cleaner air for more than 100 million
people.
State
|
NOx
emissions
|
NOx
emissions remaining
after EPA action
|
NOx
emissions reduced
|
| Delaware |
6,413 tons |
5,478 tons |
936 tons (15 %) |
| D.C. |
47 tons |
** |
computer
model allows for
growth in NOx emissions |
| Indiana |
163,796 tons |
149,943 tons |
13,853 tons (08 %) |
| Kentucky |
108,762 tons |
69,788 tons |
38,974 tons (36 %) |
| Maryland |
35,131 tons |
15,665 tons |
19,466 tons (55 %) |
| Michigan |
93,042 tons |
44,377 tons |
48,665 tons (52 %) |
| New Jersey |
23,422 tons |
14,809 tons |
8,613 tons (37 %) |
| New York |
46,815 tons |
42,110 tons |
4,705 tons (10 %) |
| North
Carolina |
90,615 tons |
34,128 tons |
56,487 tons (62 %) |
| Ohio |
171,762 tons |
51,466 tons |
120,296 tons (70 %) |
| Pennsylvania |
131,228 tons |
50,899 tons |
80,329 tons (61 %) |
| Virginia |
47,727 tons |
21,272 tons |
26,454 tons (55 %) |
| West Virginia |
120,367 tons |
29,043 tons |
91,324 tons (76 %) |
| TOTAL |
1,039,127 tons |
528,978 tons |
510,102 tons
(49 %) |
source: EPA
website
for more info:
North
Carolina facilities affected
Virginia
facilities affected
EPA fact sheet
Ground-level ozone
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