By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-976731.mp3
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday finalized the "Cross State Air Pollution Rule." The new lower-emission rules apply to power plants that run on fossil fuels in 27 states, including New York and its down-wind neighbor Ohio.
In Ohio, for example, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions must be cut by 944,000 tons and 167,000 tons, respectively.
Judith Enck is the regional administrator for the EPA. Enck said people here will notice a difference next January when new rules take effect.
Estimated health benefit statistics were not available on a state-by-state basis. But the EPA estimates that nationwide the new guidelines will save 280 billion dollars in health related costs a year. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said the real benefit will be healthier people.
The new Cross State Air Pollution rule also will impact fossil-fuel powered power plants in New York state, including Western New York's Huntley Power Station in Tonawanda.
Although Enck said plants in New York have already been moving toward compliance. Enck will be in Buffalo on July 19 to bring news on another environmental issue plaguing Tonawanda. She said there will be an update on actions at the Tonawanda Coke Plant.
Last month, Tonawanda residents with the Clean Air Coalition once again called on the EPA and the state DEC to take stronger actions against the Coke processing plant.