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EPA ADMINISTRATOR PRESENTED WITH LETTER SUPPORTING CLEAR SKIES DURING VISIT TO JEA IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Release date: 09/27/2002
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Environmental News
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2002
EPA ADMINISTRATOR PRESENTED WITH LETTER SUPPORTING
CLEAR SKIES DURING VISIT TO JEA IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
David Deegan 202-564-7839/deegan.dave@epa.gov
The Large Public Power Council (LPPC), an organization composed of 24 of the largest locally-owned and controlled electric systems in the nation, today presented to EPA Administrator Christie Whitman a letter to President Bush, supporting the Bush Administration’s efforts to dramatically reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and mercury. The letter was given to Whitman during a visit to JEA’s Northside Generating Station in Jacksonville, Florida.
"Today, I was able to tour the Northside Generating Station, an impressive facility that is generating electricity with some of the cleanest coal technology in the world," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman during a press conference. "It’s not surprising that you are giving your support to the President’s Clear Skies proposal. This visionary and far-reaching plan will achieve mandatory reductions of 70 percent in three of the most noxious air pollutants emitted by power plants B nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and mercury.
“The President and I both know that building successful partnerships is vital if we are to realize our environmental goals,” Whitman continued. “Only by working together can we ensure the continued stewardship of our precious natural resources and a future of cleaner air, purer water and better protected land for this and future generations. It’s a pleasure to be here today and to have the opportunity to see firsthand the innovative steps that you are taking to ensure that our energy needs are met with a clear commitment to reducing harmful emissions and protecting the environment."
In its letter to President Bush, LPPC members said, “We commit to work with you and Congress to pass balanced multi-pollutant legislation for the power generation sector.”
“We are proud to be recognized for the innovative, diversified generating fleet JEA is bringing into service to improve air and water quality in our region while keeping our customers’ rates low and stable. We believe that the Clear Skies Initiative is an outstanding way to continue to improve air quality across the country by expecting all electric utilities to creatively change their electric generation resources to improve the environment rapidly while encouraging economic prosperity,” said Walt Bussells, JEA CEO.
On Feb. 14 of this year President Bush announced the Clear Skies initiative, which sets strict, mandatory emissions caps for three of the most harmful air pollutants -- sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and mercury. Clear Skies will cut power plant emissions of these pollutants by 70 percent, eliminating 35 million more tons of these pollutants in the next decade than the current Clean Air Act.
Clear Skies would dramatically reduce emissions of the pollutants that cause smog, acid rain, haze, and mercury and nitrogen deposition. In 2020, Clear Skies would deliver $96 billion per year in health and visibility benefits, including preventing 12,000 premature deaths. Additional health benefits in 2020 include 10,500 fewer hospitalizations or emergency rooms visits per year and 13.5 million fewer days when Americans suffer from minor respiratory symptoms, including days out of work, missed classroom days, restricted activity days and days with asthma attacks (Under an alternative estimate, Clear Skies would deliver $11 billion in benefits, including 7,000 avoided premature deaths annually in 2020.)
Clear Skies, by dramatically reducing polluting emissions from power generators, will be the most significant improvement to the Clean Air Act since 1990, and the most comprehensive and ambitious effort ever to clean up air pollution from power plants. Clear Skies will also make great strides toward solving the persistent environmental problems of visibility impairment and ozone in national parks and cities around the country.
Clear Skies is modeled on America's most effective clean air program, the 1990 Clean Air Act's acid rain program. By using this proven, market-based approach, Clear Skies will dramatically reduce air pollution from power plants quickly and cost-effectively, keeping electricity prices affordable. Because of the nature of "cap-and-trade" programs, establishing a cap in 2010 will cause emissions reductions immediately, as companies act quickly to generate credits needed to meet the 2010 cap. Under the Acid Rain Program, emissions reductions began immediately, and exceeded the required level of reductions by approximately 25 percent. Additional information about Clear Skies, including legislative language and region-specific information about air quality and health benefits, can be found on EPA's web site at www.epa.gov/clearskies.
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