Environment America, the federation of state environmental groups, and a coalition of states and citizen groups announced a landmark court settlement with American Electric Power (AEP) that will substantially reduce air pollution from the company’s fleet of aging coal-fired power plants. The coalition sued AEP in 1999 for violating the Clean Air Act’s “New Source Review” rules, which require power companies to install modern pollution controls when otherwise upgrading their plants.
How You Can Help
Tell the EPA to reduce smog
pollution
Ozone or “smog” pollution can trigger asthma attacks and
harm even the healthiest lungs, but the Bush administration's Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed air quality standards for ozone that are
weaker than what the agency’s own scientific advisors say are needed to protect
public health.
Brief Summary
Pollution from power plants, like the proposed coal plant in Wise County, is threatening our health and environment. More than half of all Americans live in areas that fail to meet minimum health standards for smog and soot. And pollution from these plqnts can be traced to mercury that has caused fish consumption advisories for Virginia's waterways.
Knowing the adverse effects to our environment and health we need to move away from these old, dirty technologies. Yet utility companies continue to propose new plants that spew harmful pollutants into the air.
In the absence of federal action to protect public health and the environment, Virginia must move to address smog, soot and mercury pollution.
