Clean Air Markets
Progress Reports
2014 Program Progress – Clean Air Interstate Rule, Acid Rain Program, and Former NOₓ Budget Trading Program
This report summarizes annual progress through 2014 under the Acid Rain Program (ARP), the NOₓ Budget Trading Program (NBP), and the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). Progress under the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which went into effect in 2015, is not currently covered in this report, as it presents data from years prior to CSAPR implementation.
A cornerstone of effective emission reduction programs is transparency and data availability. This site features data on emissions, compliance, and environmental effects that EPA systematically collects and presents in accessible and interactive formats. The success of these programs is highlighted through substantial reductions in power sector emissions of SO₂ and NOₓ and improvements in air quality and the environment. Additionally, this site provides background through Historical Reports.
2014 ARP and CAIR at a Glance
- CAIR and ARP annual SO₂ emissions: 3.2 million tons
(69 percent below 2005) - CAIR and ARP annual NOₓ emissions: 1.7 million tons
(54 percent below 2005) - CAIR ozone season NOₓ emissions: 450,000 tons
(44 percent below 2005) - Perfect compliance: 100 percent of covered facilities in the ARP and CAIR programs were in compliance
- Ambient particulate sulfate concentrations: decreased 64 to 68 percent in observed regions (from 1989–1991 to 2012–2014)
- Wet sulfate deposition: Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states saw the greatest improvement (69 percent reduction) from 1989–1991 to 2012–2014
- Levels of acid neutralizing capacity (ANC): increased in Adirondack Mountains and Northern Appalachian Plateau lake and stream monitoring sites