EPA says Pa. generating station must reduce sulfur dioxide to protect N.J. air quality
The Portland Generating Station in Northampton County, Pa., will need to limit its sulfur dioxide emissions to comply with an Environmental Protection Agency petition granted to protect counties in north and northwest New Jersey.
The plant will have to significantly cut is emissions over the next three years to help Morris, Warren, Sussex and Hunterdon counties meet Clean Air Act standards. According to a release sent out today by the EPA, SO2 levels in those four counties exceed national air quality standards and the plant has been identified as the main source of emissions.
“Cleaning up this dirty plant will be a win, win for the people of the region. This will not only create jobs, but will save people money on health care costs from the effects that pollution has on residents,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Beyond just this one plant, we need to support the EPA rules that will require the cleanup of all the polluting coal plants that impact our air quality.”
The Portland plant will be able to choose the most cost-effective measures for meeting the EPA’s emissions limits.
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