Delaware’s air quality is significantly impacted by pollution traveling downwind from other states. Over 90% of the pollution that contributes to poor air quality in Delaware is transported from out-of-state sources. Delaware filed four petitions with the EPA for relief from this pollution, but the EPA has proposed a denial of our petitions. We are simply asking that the EPA require power plants in upwind states that pollute Delaware’s air to run their existing pollution control equipment when the plants are in operation.
Delaware has challenged the EPA to use and enforce tools of the Clean Air Act to reduce transported pollution. Upwind states must do their part to reduce emissions that impact Delaware, and EPA must hold them accountable to submit timely plans that meet Clean Air Act requirements.
Tell the EPA Delawareans deserve clean air.
OP-ED BY GOVERNOR CARNEY: EPA can’t let other states pollute Delaware’s air
Watching a Blue Rocks game. Sitting by the pool. Walking along the Rehoboth boardwalk. For most of us, that’s what summertime means. It’s a time of fun and relaxation.
But for the majority of Delawareans with asthma or other breathing problems, summer can be a nightmare. That’s because Delaware’s air quality ranks among the worst in the country. The real kicker, though, is that 90 percent of that pollution comes from other states.
Delaware has made great strides over the past 30 years in reducing our own emissions.
We’ve enacted stricter controls on power plants, refineries, and manufacturing sites.
From 2000-2017, Delaware’s coal-fired electric generation has been reduced by approximately 90 percent. We’ve reduced coal-fired power generation to one well-controlled unit in the entire state.
To comply with federal and state air regulations, Delaware electric generators and operators such as Calpine and NRG have spent millions of dollars to control emissions that cause ozone pollution.
But, without help from the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, we can’t move the needle on our air quality. So, we asked the EPA to intervene in the states that are “upwind” from Delaware – where all our air pollution is coming from.
Continue Reading Op-Ed
Timeline
Why this is Important
- Delaware’s air quality ranks among the worst in the country. But 90 percent of the pollution that contributes to poor air quality in Delaware comes from other states.
- For the 19th year in a row, New Castle County received an ‘F’ for clean air. During summer months, ozone levels are at the highest. This can make summer a nightmare for Delawareans with asthma or other breathing problems.
- Delaware has made great strides over the past 30 years in reducing our own emissions:
- Enacted stricter controls on power plants, refineries, and manufacturing sites.
- From 2000-2017, Delaware’s coal-fired electric generation has been reduced by approximately 90 percent.
- Delaware electric generators and operators have spent millions of dollars to control emissions that cause ozone pollution
- Delaware asked the EPA to intervene in the states that are “upwind” from Delaware – where most of our air pollution is coming from – under the authority of the Clean Air Act. Most of the power plants in these upwind states have pollution control technology. But sometimes, the plants don’t turn the technology on. Delaware asked the EPA to require these power plants to run their pollution control equipment any time the plants are in operation, and especially during the summer months, when ozone levels are the highest.
