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The last 35 years have seen a growing commitment to clean air and a progression
of science and technology that has informed decision-making. The Clean
Air Rules of 2004 begin a new chapter in clean air history and encompass
a strategy that will assure the years ahead are one of the most productive
periods of air improvement in US history.
Implementation of the Clean Air Rules of 2004 will reduce air pollution
and assure that well over half of the areas that currently have unhealthy
air will meet the more protective, health-based ozone and fine particle
standards by 2015. Their implementation will be achieved while protecting
the nation's economic prosperity.
More Protective Standards
Clean Air Ozone Rules
The Clean Air Ozone Rules target ground level ozone, a significant health
risk, especially for children with asthma. On April 15, 2004, EPA will
fulfill its legal obligation under the Clean Air Act to issue final designations
for all areas of the country stating that they either meet or do not meet
the more protective 8-hour ozone standards. EPA will also issue a classification
rule for nonattainment areas -- areas that do not meet the standards. The
rule will classify the seriousness of the problem and will indicate the
required actions that areas must take. States will develop implementation
plans laying out what actions they will take to achieve cleaner air. As
these plans are developed, EPA will work closely with state and local governments
to improve their air quality rating and help nonattainment areas meet 8-hour
standards. Because other coordinated actions address pollution that travels
across state lines, many areas will be able to reach attainment without
additional local actions.
Clean Air Fine Particles Rules
The Clean Air Fine Particles Rules target fine particles 2.5 microns or
smaller in size. These fine particles are linked to significant health
problems including increases in premature deaths and a range of serious
respiratory and cardiovascular effects. States have already recommended
which areas they believe do not meet the health-based fine particles standards
(PM2.5). In July 2004, EPA will respond to those recommendations and in
December, EPA will officially designate the areas that have been determined
as either meeting or not meeting fine particle standards. EPA will also
issue the implementation rule stating the required actions that areas must
take. States will then develop implementation plans laying out the actions
they will take to achieve clean air. The Clean Air Rules that address the
interstate transport of these fine particles will bring the majority of
these areas into attainment.
National Tools for Pollution that Crosses State Borders
Clean Air Interstate Rule
The proposed Clean Air Interstate Rule targets the sulfur dioxide (SO2)
and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from power plants that significantly
contribute to pollution problems in other downwind states. These pollutants
lead to the formation of fine particles and ground-level ozone that, together,
are associated with thousands of premature deaths and illnesses each year.
The Clean Air Interstate Rule proposed in December 2003 covers 29 states
in the Eastern United States and the District of Columbia. The proposal
offers options to use a mandatory cap and trade market incentives approach
or a state-emissions budget approach that would allow states to choose
other alternatives for achieving compliance. With full implementation of
this proposal, SO2 and NOx emissions would be reduced by approximately
70 percent of pre-implementation levels. The Clean Air Interstate Rule
addresses the largest source of transported emissions of NOx and SO2, coal-fired
power plants. EPA plans to issue a final Clean Air Interstate Rule by December
2004.
Clean Air Mercury Rule
Under the Clean Air Mercury Rule proposed in December 2003, power plants
will have to reduce their mercury emissions for the first time ever. Mercury
in the air is transported across state and national boundaries. Once mercury
falls to the earth's surface it is transformed to methylmercury, a persistent
toxic pollutant and a serious public health issue. Methylmercury can accumulate
in fish. Pregnant women who eat fish can pass on methylmercury to the developing
fetus and, at high levels, this exposure may lead to negative developmental
impacts. The Clean Air Mercury Rule proposal sets permanent mandatory emission-reduction
caps for coal-fired power plants and uses a phased-in approach to provide
industry flexibility in finding the best way to meet the reduction caps.
Implementation of the proposed rule will reduce power plant emissions of
mercury nationwide by 33 tons, nearly 70 percent at full implementation.
EPA plans to issue a final Clean Air Mercury Rule by December 2004.
Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule
The proposed Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule reduces sulfur in fuels for
diesel engines and sets tighter emission standards for diesel engines used
in construction, agricultural, and industrial equipment. Diesel emissions
are associated with serious health concerns including premature deaths
and illnesses that result in loss of productivity from millions of lost
workdays and thousands of lost school days. The proposal would reduce the
allowable level of sulfur in diesel fuels by more than 99 percent. The
proposed diesel standards will reduce emissions from Nonroad diesel engines
by more than 90 percent. These requirements are similar to those for engines
powering on-road trucks and buses. Nonroad diesel emissions currently account
for about 44 percent of total diesel particulate matter and about 12 percent
of total nitrogen oxides of the combined on-road and nonroad diesel emissions
nationwide -- these percentages are even higher in some urban areas. EPA
plans to issue a final Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule in Spring 2004.
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