Great Progress Has Been Made With More to Come
One of the great untold environmental stories is how air quality has improved dramatically over the past 30 years. In its annual Report on the Environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has documented the air quality improvements that have taken place since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970. In the last 35 years, total national emissions of the six most common air pollutants have been significantly reduced, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Amazingly, this improvement in national air quality has occurred while the economy has grown dramatically. The U.S. electric power industry, including cooperatives, has reduced air emissions substantially during this time. We have achieved these dramatic reductions using advanced pollution control technologies, building cleaner and more efficient new plants, and using cleaner-burning fuels.
Sensible multi-emission legislation can reduce power plant emissions more quickly and economically than continued regulation under current law. NRECA believes Congress should enact legislation that will address these objectives while balancing America’s energy, environmental and economic needs.
Current proposals to reduce mercury emissions from power plants are often in the news. The “Frequently Asked Questions” document below is intended to provide some basic information about mercury, its sources, its impacts, and our ability to reduce emissions from power plants.
Documents:
NRECA Comments on EPA's Proposed Rule to Revise the Ozone NAAQS
On Monday, March 22, NRECA submitted formal comments to EPA regading the agency's January 2010 proposal to revise the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Type: Date: 2010-03-22 Size: 32.7KB- NRECA comments on NERC Study
On March 4, NRECA submitted comments to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) in response to assumptions regarding its study entitled, “Early Fossil-Fired Unit Retirements; Potential Impacts of Environmental Regulations.”
Type: Date: 2010-03-04 Size: 32.7KB - NRECA Comments to EPA on Motor Vehicle Rulemaking
NRECA formal comments to EPA regarding the agency's proposed greenhouse gas motor vehicle rule.
Type: Date: 2010-03-01 Size: 32.7KB - NRECA Comments on EPA's ICR for EGU MACT
NRECA comments on the EPA's information collection request (ICR) for electric generating units (EGUs) regarding maximum achievable control technology (MACT).
Type: Date: 2010-03-01 Size: 57.5KB - NRECA Comments to EPA regarding PSD Interpretive Memo
NRECA formal comments to EPA regarding the agency's reconsideration of the PSD Interpretive Memorandum
Type: Date: 2010-03-01 Size: 104KB - NRECA Comments on EPA's NAAQS for SO2
NRECA comments on EPA's proposed national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Type: Date: 2010-03-01 Size: 61KB 
Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR)
Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) Update.
Type: Date: 2009-06-25 Size: 51KB- Mercury FAQs
This document provides basic information about mercury, its sources, its impacts and our ability to reduce emissions from power plants.
Type: Q and A Date: 2005-12-02 Size: 647KB