As expected, the Environmental Protection Agency filed to reject Delaware’s petitions to reduce pollution from coal-fired plants that bring downwind pollution to the state.
U.S. Senator Tom Carper released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to deny four petitions filed by the State of Delaware.
“The fundamental mission of the EPA is to protect the health of the American people and our environment. By denying our state, and others, the ability to reduce harmful pollution from upwind states, this EPA is shirking its primary responsibility, ignoring the needs of states and, most importantly, putting the health of Delawareans at risk. This is yet another example of Mr. Pruitt continuing to put the interests of polluters ahead of people.” (Carper is referring to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt).
“Delaware is working hard to protect its communities from dirty air, but emissions from other states account for nearly 90 percent of air pollution in the First State. New Castle County just recently received a failing grade from the American Lung Association for its air quality,” Carper continued. “And Delaware has nearly 70,000 residents living with asthma. Downwind states like Delaware depend on the EPA to make sure that every state is a good neighbor when it comes to reducing air pollution. By denying these petitions, Mr. Pruitt has made clear that this administration has little regard for the plight of downwind states like Delaware.”
The petitions filed by Delaware sought reductions in emissions of ozone- nitrogen dioxide from some power plants in the upwind states of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Maryland also submitted a petition, which was also denied.
The EPA will accept comment on the proposed action for 45 days after it is published in the Federal Register. The EPA also plans to hold a public hearing on the proposal at the EPA offices in Washington, DC.
The downwind pollution controversy has gone on for years, with the Caesar Rodney Institute claiming in 2013 that increasingly cleaner coal power plants are not a significant contributor to air pollution in the state.
Delaware has one coal-fired unit at the NRG Indian River plant near Millsboro in Sussex County. Over the years, coal-fired plants in Dover, Edgemoor and a portion of the Indian River complex have been shut down.
