"Power plants, paper mills and other industries in roughly half the country would face fresh requirements to cut smog-forming emissions under a new EPA “good neighbor” plan that would sharply expand the agency’s efforts to curb harmful pollution that crosses state lines.
The proposal released this morning would apply in varying degrees to 26 states, located mainly in the East and Midwest but also hopscotching to include Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California, none of which was covered by the last major “cross-state” pollution rule issued more than a decade ago and updated six years ago.
In all those states except California, power plants would be subject to stricter “budgets” starting next year under a cap-and-trade program to cut releases for nitrogen oxides (NOx), a key contributor to ozone-related smog. In 2024, larger generating units with existing controls would also be covered by daily emissions rate limits. And in 23 states, EPA for the first time wants to impose NOx curbs on cement kilns, pulp and paper mills, chemical plants, and other types of industrial facilities found to be contributing to downwind compliance problems."
Sean Reilly reports for E&E News March 11, 2022.
SEE ALSO:
"EPA Unveils Plan To Cut Interstate Smog Pollution From Power Plants" (Reuters)
