Landmark Petition To EPA Targets Southeast Power Plants

18 March 2004 - Raleigh, NC) Environmental Defense today praised North Carolina leaders for committing to petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require polluting power plants in neighboring states to reduce dangerous air pollution that blows into North Carolina and poses a significant risk to public health.  The petition asks EPA to curb harmful air pollution from power plants in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.  North Carolina’s petition is the first filed since President Bush took office.

“Every day, dangerous power plant pollution from neighboring states blows into North Carolina backyards right along with spring pollen,” said Michael Shore, Southeast air quality manager for Environmental Defense.  “Petitioning EPA is an important step in protecting the lungs of North Carolinians and citizens across the Southeast.  The petition sends a clear signal that sources in upwind states should be required to make cuts like those required by North Carolina’s Clean Smokestacks Act, and that the state expects EPA to protect the public by ensuring reductions in regional pollution.  A North Carolina petition can lead to cleaner air regionally, improving public health in all Southeastern states.  The petition also reinforces the need for EPA to strengthen and finalize its Interstate Air Quality Rule currently under consideration.”

Section 126 of the Clean Air Act grants states the right to petition the EPA administrator to address pollution from out-of-state sources.  If EPA grants the petition, the agency, not the upwind states, will mandate emissions limitations for the out-of-state air pollution.  EPA is required to respond to a 126 Petition within 60 days after it is filed.

“Out-of-state pollution has a significant impact on the health of North Carolina citizens,” said Jane Preyer, director of the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense.  “It’s clear that pollution coming from sources in upwind states is part of the reason why North Carolina and other Southeastern states cannot meet vitally important health-based air quality standards.  Taking a strong stand by petitioning the EPA is one of the best ways North Carolina can help counter federal Clean Air Act rollbacks and secure much needed cuts in regional air pollution.”  

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 400,000 members.  Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems.
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