New Transportation Rule Proposal will reduce S0x and N0x particulates to neighboring States

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/c045295ced7dcf6885257758005b74bb!OpenDocument  (link)

"EPA News Releases By Date: EPA Proposal Cuts Pollution from Power Plants in 31 States and D.C./ Rule would reduce smog and soot-forming emissions contributing to unhealthy air" Release date 07/06/2010 Contact Information Cathy Milbourn milbourn.cathy@epa.gov 202-564-7849, 202-564-4355

Back in "the day" before science took a look at the connections between air pollution and air particulates (particulates are microscopic parts of pollutants that are usually metal based and travel in air and weather patterns), it was assumed if you lived in town "A" and had a smoke stack, only town "A"'s air would be affected. Unfortunately, as the State of Arkansas learned, Air currents travel and particulate matter travels with. Arkansas achieved a status of "non-attainment" in West Memphis, Arkansas for over 5 years, because the pollutants from Memphis, TN carried over. It was not until last year, that West Memphis was put back into Attainment. Attainment is when the Air Quality of a given area is healthy and within the limits set by the EPA. There has been a push by the EPA to raise the health standards even higher. It is a fight tooth and nail with Industry to attempt to leave cleaner air for the citizens, because curbing pollution, cuts into Industry's bottom line.

For more information on the Proposed Air Transport Regulatory Actions. link are provided: http://www.epa.gov/airtransport/actions.html#jul10 (link)

“This rule is designed to cut pollution that spreads hundreds of miles and has enormous negative impacts on millions of Americans,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We’re working to limit pollution at its source, rather than waiting for it to move across the country. The reductions we’re proposing will save billions in health costs, help increase American educational and economic productivity, and -- most importantly -- save lives.”




The proposal, if passed, and not watered down by industry, will replace and improve upon the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordered EPA to revise in 2008. During the Bush administration, the Clean Air Act was almost voided. CAIR  (Clean Air Interstate Rule) was able to remain temporarily until EPA was assigned a new Administrator; Lisa P. Jackson. She, along with the "Will of the People", will work to finalize the updated rule proposed today; July 6, 2010.




The EPA will accept public comment on the proposal for 60 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register. The agency also will hold public hearings. Dates and locations for the hearings will be announced shortly.


Stay tuned. There is a song by Theory of a Deadman, where the lines say..."It's like one step forward and two steps back". From 2005 - 2008 we lost environmental protections that had been growing and improving since 1979. After Hurricane Katrina, many rules that regulate Industry in Environmental matters were given waivers and passes on hard won rules.


This is similar to what happened between the Automobile Industry and the EPA. The reduction of emissions and the increase of mpg in vehicles were supposed to be raised to higher standards. In the 1980's you could find many cars that would get over 50 mpg. The automobile industry basically demanded for Americans to make a choice; safety? or gas mileage?


This is not progress, it is Russian Roulette decade after decade, and our Earth/Eco-system is ailing and overtaxed. Citizens, You must get involved. You must write letters, You must comment and show up for public meetings, I beg of you.


Thank you for every "one thing" you do for the betterment of our planet. Thank you for your Public Service. Thank you for making a difference and getting Involved!

Prevention is the Best Medicine: Public Meeting RE: Air Quality Standards of Dioxins.

EPA: News Release by Date - 12/29/09. Contact: Dave Ryan, ryan.dave@epa.gov 202-564-7827, 202-564-4355

"EPA to Hold Public Hearing on Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide"

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/5941ACD46AC1EBD18525769B005911E7

Today's announcement (12-29-09), is regarding the Air Division of the (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency. The administrators are working on the rules for Sulfur Dioxide* emissions into our Air. That is all of our Air. Not many of us live in Bio-Domes, so it is safe to take Atmospheric scientist conclusions, that water travels in worldwide currents. Air currents as well travel many miles. We all share this Air.

Yesterday I blogged about an announcement from EPA asking People to submit comments regarding the rules in the process of the final remediation of dirt containing Dioxides [SFUND 2009-00907]. Remediation being restoring it to it's former use. It must be rendered useful and no longer a toxic filter. A Brownfield of Superfund site usually full of dioxins and must be cleaned up; usually of harmful dioxins are in the soil.

This public meeting (accepting public comments http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/contact.html )

will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on January 5, 2010. It will begin at 10:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. it will be held:

Atlanta Federal Center
Conference Rooms B and C
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

This is the EPA working to do the "Protecting" part as they have been assigned to do. For too many years, these pollutants; S02, Nox, have been allowed in emissions inventories without any limitation in many States. The Southern States of the U.S.have typically allowed the biggest pollution permits, because the Southern States are influenced more by business interests than conservation. The EPA and States cannot regulate to protect human health if they do not get input from more citizens.

The EPA is proposing to make the nation's sulfur dioxide (s02) standards stricter. Presently when a Facility (Industrial Site) permitted, they pay for every ton of pollution that gets through scrubbers and other stacks on their site.

In order to know how many tons they must purchase, they must do "stack testing". The stack test is supposed to simulate production levels of an hour run. Each 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years, permitted facilities who fall under EPA Air Division, Title IV 40 CFR 60.8 must test their emissions; or smoke coming out of their stacks. Because of the chemical processes, it is scientifically measured as to what pollutants will come from their operation.

The new national one hour S02 standard will be 50 - 100 ppb (parts per billion), meaning that in one hour of operating, the tonnage of emissions will be measured for how many part per billion of the released smoke contains So2. This is a link to 40 CFR, Pt 60, this is what facilities have to operate under and it is obviously complex. http://law.justia.com/us/cfr/title40/40-6.0.1.1.1.html#40:6.0.1.1.1.2.110.5

The new standards will decrease the allowable amounts of S02 that can be emitted per hour in industry.

It is understandable that Industry will balk and go on about paperwork, extra costs for testing, permitting and consulting. It is expensive and it does cut that bottom line.

I know individuals who work at large facilities. Most are family men that love the woods, rivers and clean air. They are u.s. It is as simple as thinking of a problem in a different way. Change happens, and it can be good.

Please have your say. Get involved. It has been said before; all it takes is for each of us to do one thing. People who come together for a good cause are a powerful force, with many of us out of jobs, maybe struggling to keep our home. We can go to the libraries, search public notices, and show up for public meetings; in letter or person. None of will be sorry for enhancing the Eco balance of our planet.

Thank you for getting involved. Peace.

For more information about participating contact: Tricia Crabtree crabtree.tricia@epa.gov or 919-541-5688.



*http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/