COUNCIL APPLAUDS EPA'S
SUCCESS IN REDUCING ACID RAIN THROUGHOUT THE NORTHEAST
Calls for Quick Finalization
of Clean Air Interstate Rule that
Will Produce Even More Benefits
For more information:
John F. Sheehan, Communications Director
518-432-1770 (w)
518-441-1340 (cell)
Released, Wednesday, September
22, 2004
CONCORD, NH -The Adirondack Council
joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael
O. Leavitt and called on him to implement a proposal by his Agency
to further reduce the damaging effects of acid rain. Leavitt
was in Concord to tour the facilities of the Society for the
Protection of New Hampshire Forests and also to unveil the EPA's
annual progress report on its acid rain program.
"For the second time in as many months I've personally asked
the Administrator to finalize the Clean Air Interstate Rule by
the end of the year," said Adirondack Council Executive
Director Brian L. Houseal. "Hopefully next month he will
be able to tell me it's done. The sooner EPA acts, the better
it will be for the environment and people."
Houseal and Leavitt were joined by other organizations such as
the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation, a recognized leader in
the area of ecosystem science.
"Hubbard Brook has helped to show that deep reductions in
the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are necessary
so that the Adirondacks and all forests across the northeast
can begin to recover from the effects of acid rain," said
Houseal. "While it is true that we have already come a long
way, we need the Clean Air Interstate Rule to put us over the
top when it comes to ending acid rain's devastation."
"New York is currently implementing emergency regulations
for our power plants that are very similar to the EPA's proposal,"
continued Houseal. "However, we cannot win this battle alone.
Upwards of 85% of our pollution comes from outside of New York's
borders. That is why we need the Interstate Rule to make all
of our upwind neighbors reduce their pollution that has been
killing our lakes and forests for decades."
The EPA's new progress report reaffirms that the 1990 Clean Air
Act Amendments have been a success. Sulfur emissions have been
reduced by nearly half since 1980 and compliance has been nearly
100%. In addition, compliance costs have been below the initial
projection.
"For a federal program to have this type of compliance and
be under cost is nearly unheard of," said Houseal. "However,
EPA needs to go further and reduce the cap levels in order to
stop the destruction of acid rain in the Adirondacks."
For several years, the Adirondack Council has called on Congress
to enact cuts similar to those that the EPA is currently considering.
Given the lack of action from Congress, EPA's proposed rule is
a good step towards achieving the goal of all Adirondack lakes
returning to their natural state.
"We still want Congress to give acid rain reductions the
force of law," Houseal said. "However, we are pleased
that EPA is not waiting for Congress and is using its existing
authority to help stop acid rain."
The Adirondack Council is dedicated to ensuring the ecological
integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. Founded
in 1975, its 14 staff and 18,000 members make it the largest
environmental organization focusing full time on the Adirondack
Park.
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