EPA Exempts Dirty Coal Fleet From Cleaning Up Its Act

Agency substitutes Cross State rule for haze rule

Contacts

Raviya Ismail, Earthjustice, (202) 745-5221

Yesterday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency exempted dozens of coal plants from cleanup requirements when the agency authorized using the Cross State Air Pollution Rule to waive haze pollution cleanup requirements. Instead of mandating outdated coal plants to install the “best available retrofit technology” (BART) to curb haze pollution, the rule will allow many old plants to avoid full cleanup.

The following statement is from Sarah Saylor, Senior Legislative Representative for Earthjustice:

“With this rule, EPA is attempting to substitute one clean-up program for another. It’s like using a broom to sweep your carpet; it just doesn’t do the job and more dirty and unhealthy air will result.”

The Clean Air Act requires states to reduce haze pollution in all protected national parks, wilderness areas and wildlife refuges by December 2007.

“The agency is allowing coal plants to continue to pollute areas that are supposed to have pristine air quality—our national parks and other sensitive areas,” Saylor added.

Additional Resources

About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.