New Jersey Revises Plan to Reduce Air Pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it has approved a revised plan for New Jersey to reduce air pollution in the state, and in particular, a plan to reduce emissions that cross state lines, in accordance with the EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). The revised State Implementation Plan (SIP) allows New Jersey to devise its own plan to reduce levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides in order to clean up New Jersey skies.

Less than three years ago, New Jersey was cited for 13 counties that did not attain the EPA's minimum standards for fine particles and 21 counties that failed to meet minimum health-based standards for smog. For all states, the EPA monitors and develops regulations to ensure that air quality requirements are met; however, two states, New York and New Jersey are allowed to develop their own SIPs as long as they meet the federal minimum levels for healthy air. Every state must have the EPA approve their SIP and that plan is then enforced through federal mandates.

In a press release announcing New Jersey's approved plan, Alan J. Steinberg, Regional Administrator states that the "EPA has carefully examined New Jersey's plan to reduce air pollution and is satisfied that these changes are consistent with federal standards and will benefit the health of the state and its neighbors."

As per the Clean Air Interstate Rule, 28 states and the District of Columbia will achieve cleaner air and lower pollutant emissions through a cap and trade system, mostly targeting the power generation industry. The CAIR is part of the Bush Administration's Clear Skies legislation and is modeled on the Acid Rain Program, which is a cap and trade program for sulfur dioxide.