Archives - June, 2004

Clearer Skies Ahead: Parks will benefit from EPA pollution reduction measures

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving forward with several air pollution control programs that will substantially reduce pollution over the next 10-15 years.

• EPA's proposed Clean Air Interstate Rule would require 29 eastern states and the District of Columbia to significantly reduce and permanently cap emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants by 2015. The proposal is intended to reduce interstate transport of fine particulate matter and ozone. The U.S. Department of the Interior submitted comments in support of the EPA proposal. (See DOI letter below). For more information about this proposal, visit EPA's web site: http://www.epa.gov/air/interstateairquality/index.html
• Another EPA proposal would cut emissions of air pollutants that reduce visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. The proposal amends EPA's 1999 Regional Haze Rule, which requires the installation of best available retrofit technology (BART) on older facilities emitting pollution that states determine harms visibility in specially protected areas. Depending on the approach taken by the states, the reductions associated with the BART program would begin to take effect in 2014, with full implementation before 2018. EPA will be taking public comment on the proposal until July 6, 2004. Copies of the proposal and EPA's fact sheet are available at: http://www.epa.gov/visibility. On June 15, 2004, the National Park Service provided an oral statement before the EPA hearing panel on Regional Haze Regulations and Guidelines for BART determinations (see National Park Service oral statement below).
• EPA issued a Nonroad Diesel Rule that will cut emission levels from construction, agricultural and industrial diesel-powered equipment by more than 90 percent between 2008 - 2015. The new rule will also remove 99 percent of the sulfur in diesel fuel by 2010. Off-road diesel fuel currently contains about 3,000 parts per million (ppm) sulfur. The new rule will cut that to 500 ppm in 2007 and 15 ppm by 2010. More information on EPA's clean diesel programs, including the Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule, is available at: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.

The Department of the Interior, April 29, 2004, letter to the Environmental Protection Agency comments on the proposed Rulemaking to Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone.
April 29, 2004, Department of Interior comment letter to EPA (PDF format)

The National Park Service, June 15, 2004, oral statement before the Environmental Protection Agency hearing panel on Regional Haze Regulations and Guidelines for BART determinations.
June 15, 2004, National Park Service oral statement (PDF format)