Cap And Trade Program Lowers Smog Levels In Eastern United StatesOctober 16, 2009
EPA released a report showing that more than 103 million Americans
breathe cleaner air thanks to a cap and trade program that reduces
smog-forming emission of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). The 2008 NOx Budget
Trading Program Annual Report, covering 20 eastern states and the
District of Columbia, shows the summertime NOx emissions from power
plants and large industrial sources were down by 62 percent compared
to year 2000 levels and 75 percent lower than in 1990.
Highlights of the report show that:
The NOx Budget Trading Program is a partnership between federal and state governments to reduce the regional transport of NOx from power plants and industry in the eastern U.S. This market-based cap and trade program was created to cost-effectively reduce NOx emissions during the ozone season. This program provides facilities flexibility to choose their control options including installing control technologies, replacing existing controls with more advanced technologies, optimizing existing controls, and switching fuels. This flexibility and an active NOx allowance market have led to near perfect compliance since the start of the program in 2003. For more information, visit : http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/progress/NBP_4.html SOURCE: EPA To subscribe or visit go to: http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com |