[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10556]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               EPA RULING

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today, the Environmental Protection 
Agency took steps to make the air in Vermont cleaner by issuing the 
final cross-State air pollution rule.
  In Vermont, we pride ourselves on our bucolic views, unspoiled 
waterways, and our connection to the land. Yet, all of this is 
threatened by pollution that is beyond our control, and coming from 
beyond our borders. Vermont has always been a dumping ground, so to 
speak, for emissions from coal-fired powerplants from other States. 
Toxic pollution, generated in other parts of the country, blows into 
Vermont and damages our State's scenic beauty, decreases the value of 
conservation investments, and damages our forests, lakes, rivers, and 
wetlands.
  These powerplant emissions and air pollution are transported long 
distances and not only mars our landscapes and threatens our health, 
but it also costs downwind States and businesses billions of dollars 
annually. Our only defense against such activity is the Federal Clean 
Air Act. Today, with the implementation of the EPA's cross-State air 
pollution rule, powerplants will be required to install new pollution 
controls that reduce the amount of dangerous emissions crossing State 
lines and entering Vermont. This will level the playing field by 
requiring powerplants to make long overdue investments in proven, 
readily available pollution control technologies that are already in 
place at many powerplants.
  The cross-State air pollution rule requires many fossil fuel-fired 
powerplants to slash emissions that cross State lines and contribute to 
ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution in other States. These 
pollutants contribute to smog and air pollution which causes tens of 
thousands of Americans to become sick each year. Those most susceptible 
to illnesses related to poor air quality are often our most vulnerable 
citizens. The elderly and children, especially those already suffering 
from respiratory disorders like asthma, are routinely forced to stay 
inside on poor air quality days.
  Pollution is also responsible for thousands of new respiratory 
illnesses each year, adding more unnecessary costs to our health care 
system. In fact, the reductions contained in this rule would prevent 
14,000 to 36,000 premature deaths each year, 23,000 nonfatal heart 
attacks, 21,000 cases of acute bronchitis, 240,000 cases of aggravated 
asthma, and 1.9 million missed school and work days. The total benefits 
of this rule are estimated to be $120-290 billion.
  Some believe these benefits are not worth the costs to industry. 
However, the cross-State air pollution rule is projected to cost 
industry from $10-30 billion, a very modest amount compared to the 
financial benefits and deaths prevented by this rule. In addition, a 
utility-funded report recently contradicted arguments that the rule 
will threaten U.S. electricity reliability. The reason for this is that 
a majority of utilities have already taken steps to adapt to Federal 
rules. In fact, over half of the country's coal-fired powerplants have 
already installed sulfur dioxide scrubbers or plan to install them. Of 
those that had plans to retire units, they are doing so because they 
are inefficient and cannot compete in today's market, not because of 
these rules.
  In the end, only about one-fourth of the Nation's powerplants need to 
take action. Are we going to let these plants, which have dragged their 
feet, refusing to install new technology that would prevent pollution 
and prevent deaths and serious illness, continue to poison our air on 
the public's dime?
  No, instead we should encourage the use of cleaner technologies that 
will lead to healthier air, increased efficiency, and a boost in jobs. 
Overall, regulations under the Clean Air Act have dramatically reduced 
air pollution while creating jobs and spurring American innovation in 
new industries and technology. Reports show the creation of 1.5 million 
jobs over the next 5 years and increased global exports of domestically 
produced clean technologies. History has demonstrated that since 1970, 
every dollar spent on compliance with the Clean Air Act has led to $4-
$8 in economic benefits. By 2020, the total benefits of the Clean Air 
Act will reach $2 trillion.
  Coming from a State with no coal-fired powerplants that has been on 
the receiving end of these pollutants for far too long, I fully welcome 
the final cross-State air pollution rule because I know that it will 
improve the quality of life for Vermonters who are subject to the 
impacts, and costs, of pollution from far beyond our borders. This rule 
is good for Vermont. It is good for the country. The Clean Air Act has 
been cleaning our air for over four decades, while continuing to grow 
our economy. The final cross-State air pollution rule that was 
published today will encourage innovation and cost-savings and help 
powerplants achieve their mission of providing clean, affordable, and 
reliable energy. I am happy to see the EPA use this tool, given to it 
by Congress, to protect the people and the environment of Vermont and 
the rest of the country from pollution generated by distant 
industries.

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