June 11, 2004—The Bush administration has released a supplement to its proposed Clean Air Interstate Rule providing additional implementation details, including model cap-and-trade programs for power plants that states may adopt to achieve required emissions reductions. The proposed supplement provides for the use of a cap-and-trade program, like the Clean Air Act’s Acid Rain program, to ensure complete accountability and transparency as this rule is implemented.
The Clean Air Interstate Rule would establish permanent caps, significantly reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the eastern United States. When combined with the recently completed Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule and other national control programs, the reductions required by the Clean Air Interstate Rule will achieve significant regional improvements in air quality and reduce the need for additional local controls.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will take public comments on the supplemental proposal for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register June 10.
For more information visit EPA/Interstate Air Quality Rule/Regulatory Actions/Supplementary Proposal.
