[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1577-E1578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE ACID DEPOSITION CONTROL ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to fight 
acid rain and air pollution. This legislation will build on the Clean 
Air Act and the provisions dealing with the pollutants most responsible 
for acid rain. I am pleased to have the support of Congressman John 
McHugh in this legislation as well as Senator D'Amato and Senator 
Moynihan who will be introducing the identical legislation in the 
Senate.
  Although we've made tremendous progress in cutting down on pollution 
through the original Clean Air Act, it hasn't been enough in cutting 
the pollution responsible for acid rain and excessive air contamination 
we suffer from in New York. The forests and waterways of the Hudson 
Valley and the Adirondacks have become a dumping ground for this 
pollution and will be destroyed if we don't do something to stop it. As 
an outdoorsman and lifelong resident of this beautiful region, I'm not 
going to stand by and watch our area be destroyed.
  This legislation, entitled the Acid Deposition Control Act of 1997, 
focuses on further reductions in the emissions of nitrogen oxide 
[NOx] and sulfur dioxide [SO2], the two primary 
components of acid rain. Sulfur dioxide emissions

[[Page E1578]]

have been declining under the emissions cap currently in place, but not 
fast enough for environmentally sensitive areas like the Adirondack 
Mountains and the Hudson Valley. This bill would cut the amount of 
SO2 emitted in half in 2003 so dirty power plants won't be 
able to continue business-as-usual and get around pollution 
restrictions.
  But even more important, this proposal finally takes on dangerous 
nitrogen oxide emissions. The Clean Air Act as it stands virtually 
ignores nitrogen oxides which in many ways is the most dangerous 
pollutant because of its devastating contributions to acid rain and 
also ozone pollution which can cause significant health risks for 
people suffering from respiratory problems like asthma.
  This bill creates a market-based cap and trade system for 
NOx emissions similar to that already in place under the 
Clean Air Act of 1990 that regulates SO2. Under such a 
trading system, States are given pollution allowances directly related 
to the percent of power the utilities in their state produce. The state 
then divides up these allowances to each utility in whatever manner 
they choose. The system provides incentives for utilities to produce 
less pollution than alloted because they can sell extra allowances to 
other utilities. However, if a utility exceeds its emission allowances, 
even after buying additional credits, they will be subject to serious 
financial penalty.
  Another important provision dealing with NOx emissions 
seeks to cut these emissions at the most dangerous point of the year 
for many elderly and children afflicted with respiratory problems. The 
bill cuts in half the NOx allowance during the summer months 
of May, June, July, August, and September when the heat and sunshine 
combine with NOx and other pollutants to create hazardous 
ozone pollution.
  I am pleased with the support this legislation has already received 
from many environmental organizations and industry groups. I also look 
forward to working with all of the New York delegation in the House and 
Senate as well as my fellow Members of Congress that are serious about 
reducing pollution in this country. I urge all my colleagues to 
cosponsor this legislation and become committed to this cause. It's 
time for all of us to get together to fight against acid rain and for 
the health of our citizens and the health of our vital natural 
resources.

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