EPA Study
Shows Particle Pollution Declining
EPA considers particle
pollution "its most pressing air quality problem" and is taking steps that will
result in reductions. The Houston area does not violate the EPA 2.5 PM
standard. Houston complies with the EPA requirements. Nationally, PM
2.5 concentrations are the lowest in 25 years. PM 10 concentrations have
declined 31% since 1988. The following graph shows 2.5 concentration
declines since 1999. No area in Texas is declared in nonattainment of the
PM 2.5 Standard.
 
Source: EPA (Click for
external link to reports)
http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/
New EPA Report
Says U.S. Air is Cleanest in 30 Years
Total
emissions of the six principal pollutants identified in the Clean Air Act
dropped again in 2003, signaling that America's air is the cleanest ever in
three decades, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Annual emissions
statistics for the six pollutants are considered major indicators of the quality
of the nation's air because of their importance for human health and the
existence of their long-standing national standards.
Emissions have continued to decrease even as the
U.S. economy has increased more than 150 percent. Since 1970 (change numbers to
reflect 1970 baseline), the aggregate total emissions for the six pollutants
[Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Particulate
Matter (PM), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Lead (Pb)] have been cut from
301.5 million tons per year to 147.8 million tons per year, a decrease of 51
percent. Total 2003 emissions were down 12 million tons since 2000, a 7.8
percent reduction.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
The Agency recently issued regulations that will cut diesel pollution by 90
percent, and later this year will finalize regulations cutting power plant
pollution by approximately 70 percent.
The EPA says a major reason for the nation's progress is the innovative,
market-based acid rain cap-and-trade program enacted in 1990. The Acid Rain
Progress Report shows annual SO2 and NOx emissions have declined 5.1 million
tons (32 percent) and 2.5 million tons (37 percent), respectively, since 1990.
The program generated double-digit cuts at its inception and is now maturing,
with small fluctuations up and down as emissions gradually near their respective
end goal caps.
The Bush Administration's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) stands to be the acid
rain program of the this decade, enabling the country to once again enjoy sharp
cuts in harmful pollutant levels. It will use the same proven cap-and-trade
approach as the Acid Rain program, creating financial incentives for electricity
generators to look for new and low-cost ways to reduce emissions early.
CAIR will use cap-and-trade to address power plant emissions in 29 eastern
states plus the District of Columbia. The program would cut SO2 by more than 40
percent from today's levels by 2010, and 70 percent when fully implemented. NOx
emissions would be cut by 50 percent from today's levels by 2010, and 60 percent
when fully implemented. The Administration plans to finalize CAIR this fall.
"The Acid Rain Program is a national success story because we achieved early
reductions, cost-effectively and with near-perfect compliance," said Leavitt.
"CAIR will provide similar benefits, ensuring that our nation's air continues to
get cleaner well into the next decade."
For more information: CAIR: see
http://www.epa.gov/interstateairquality/
2003 Emissions Report: see
http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/econ-emissions.html
Acid Rain Report: see
http://www.epa.gov/acidrainreport
Source
for this information is the Environmental Protection Agency.
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