March 30, 2018
Petition seeks emissions reductions from power plants and industrial sources in nine states that jeopardize New York’s ability to meet ozone standards.
On March 13, 2018 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that New York is petitioning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its failure to address the movement of ozone from upwind states to downwind states.
Specifically, New York is asking that EPA require power plants and large industrial sources in nine upwind States to reduce their contribution of pollution impacting New York.
“At Governor Cuomo’s direction, New York is aggressively limiting air pollution from multiple sources to protect our communities and the environment. New York is asking the EPA to require these polluters in upwind states to do their fair share and control the air pollution that is impacting our air quality. Without these controls, New Yorkers will suffer not only a public health burden, but will be required to suffer the additional economic burden of forcing further controls on New York-based sources of pollution,” said DEC Commissioner Seggos.
The petition is filed under Section 126 of the Clean Air Act, which allows a State to petition EPA for a finding that sources or groups of sources in other states contribute to a state’s inability to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards established by EPA.
Since 2000, New York has reduced nitrogen oxide emissions from its own power plants nearly 90 percent, but emissions from neighboring states continue to lead to elevated ozone levels in New York. But ozone levels remain elevated, due in significant part of upwind air pollution.
The Clean Air Act requires New York to comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) establish by EPA to protect public health. EPA has designated the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long lsland, NY-NJ-CT area as nonattainment with the 2008 NAAQS for ozone and indicated that it plans to designate New York as nonattainment with the 2015 ozone NAAQS. In addition, Chautauqua and Erie Counties in western New York are on the cusp of exceeding the 2015 NAAQS.
What this means to you
New York has petitioned the EPA seeking emissions reductions from power plants and industrial sources in nine states that jeopardize New York’s ability to meet ozone standards.
MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH for help bringing stationary engines into first-time emissions compliance.