EPA proposes new regulatory options for Air Quality Standards

On Feb. 14, 2005 the EPA proposed three regulatory options to maintain air quality in areas that meet national air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

1. To retain the existing increments NOx measured as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the ambient air as established in October 1988;

2. To allow states that choose to implement an interstate cap and trade program for sources of NOx to rely on the benefits of that program in place of the existing increments to prevent significant deterioration of NO2 air quality; or

3. To allow states to adopt their own planning strategies and implement these in lieu of the NO2 increment system if they show that PSD for NOx is satisfied through some combination of state and federal emissions controls that have been or will be adopted.

NOx is a precursor to the formation of ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution. At elevated levels these polluants can have significant health effects aggravating heart and lung conditions, increasing susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, damaging lungs. Fine particles are also associated with premature death. In additional these pollutants have negative environmental impacts including vegatation damage, acid deposition, and visibility impairment.

Under the current program NOx emissions in the United States have fallen from 25.1 million tons per year in 1990 to 20.5 million tons in 2003, according to EPA's most recent air emissions trends report.

In addition, ozone levels have decreased over the past 10 to 25 years. In 2003, the improved air quality resulted mainly from favorable weather conditions and continuing reductions in emissions, according to EPA's most recent ozone air quality trends report: www.epa.gov/airtrends /ozone.html .

Several future regulations on industry, power plants, and vehicles are expected to further reduce NOx emissions and help prevent the formation of ground-level ozone. Info on these future regulations is available online at: www.epa.gov/ cleanair2004/