|
30 March 2007 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized rules directing 20 states to reduce levels of tiny particles produced by power plants, cars and other sources. Affected states must give EPA their cleanup plans by February 2008, and designated areas must lower particulate pollution by 2010, the rules said.
About 88 million people in more than 200 U.S. counties live where "particulate" levels exceed limits set by the agency.
Utilities will spend $50 billion to install technology to comply with new clean-air standards set by the Bush administration, which require them to cut emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides by 70 percent, according to the Edison Electric Institute.
Most states that violate federal clean air rules are in the Midwest and in Northeast states between Washington, D.C., and New York, the EPA said. Other counties with unhealthy levels are in Southern California and near Atlanta, Georgia, it said.
Counties with the most severe problems -- like those around Los Angeles -- could get a five-year extension, delaying attainment until 2015, the EPA said.
| 
Articles 
| View all PennWell sites | View all PennWell events
Add RSS Feed
