<i>Business and Legal Reports</i> Foresees Major Air Emission Reductions

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Environmental managers in 28 states will soon be forced to drastically reduce their pollutant emissions under EPA's new Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR).

OLD SAYBROOK, Connecticut &$151; Environmental managers in 28 states will soon be forced to drastically reduce their pollutant emissions under EPA's new Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). According to the editors at Enviro.BLR.com, CAIR will permanently cap emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the eastern United States; when fully implemented, SO(2) and NOx emissions will be reduced by approximately 70 percent and 60 percent, respectively, from 2003 levels.


Plan Now - Cap or Trade Air Emissions?


"If you think you are one of the targeted facilities, now is the time to begin considering your compliance strategy," says Tim Fagan, air editor at Business and Legal Reports, Inc. "While states currently have flexibility in determining which emission sources are affected and what control measures will be adopted to meet CAIR targets, it is very likely that most states will opt for a cap and trade program, forcing sources to make a decision: install controls or buy emissions allowances."


In preparing this rule, EPA evaluated each state to determine if its emissions significantly contributed to the fine particular matter and/or ozone nonattainment of a downwind state. The results revealed that SO(2) and NOx emissions from 23 states and the District of Columbia contribute to unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter in downwind states. In addition, NOx emissions in 25 eastern states and D.C. contribute to unhealthy ozone levels in other downwind states.


The compliance experts at BLR have developed a white paper to help environmental managers determine if their facilities will be affected by CAIR. Why Should You CAIR? How the Clean Air Interstate Rule Affects Your Operations explains this major new clean air rule in practical, useful detail. It shows the phased reductions for SO(2) and NOx emissions and analyzes the costs and benefits. The paper also explains why the Bush administration's preferred Clear Skies legislation may still play a role in your compliance efforts.


The white paper, "Making State Environmental Compliance Easier," can be found here: http://www.blr.com/80502500/PRS53


About BLR: Old Saybrook, Connecticut-based BLR produces plain-English compliance and training resources for HR, compensation, safety, and environmental managers. For more information visit www.BLR.com.


Source: Business Wire, BLR