with Phase I of the program, they reduced their emissions to 5.3 million tons. This is
a 47% reduction in emissions over 5 years [62].
Phase II of the program began in 2000. It affects more power plants and gives all
of the plants fewer allowances. Merrimack Station in New Hampshire had 31,343
allowances per year in Phase I. They have 13,530 allowances in Phase II. This will
lead to further reductions in SO 2 emissions.
The SO 2 cap and allowance trading system proved successful and is now being
used or considered for use to regulate several other pollutants, including NO x and
carbon dioxide.
The Acid Rain Program (ARP) also monitors and limits emission of NO x . In New
England, the acid rain NO x rules have not had a noticeable effect, because other
programs have imposed more stringent limits.
The Acid Rain Program also promotes the use of renewable energy and energy
conservation. Some allowances were set aside to award to companies, which encouraged
residential, commercial, and industrial conservation or used certain forms of renewable
energy. Six New England companies were awarded 4,186 allowances for energy
conservation and for using biomass and landfill gas as a source of energy. Allowances
are also available for solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
New England states have also been active in the fight against acid rain. Prior to
1990, Massachusetts and New Hampshire had passed laws limiting the emissions
from power plants. In 2001, Massachusetts adopted regulations that will further limit
emissions from large power plants by as much as 75% of SO 2 and 50% of NO x .
Connecticut has adopted regulations that will further limit emissions by as much as
50% of the SO 2 and 30% of the NO x currently being emitted.
The United States has been working with Canada to reduce transboundary effects
of acid deposition. A bilateral Air Quality Agreement was signed in March 1991.
The third biennial report, published in 1996, focused on the progress made by the
United States and Canada in achieving emissions reduction goals. Their 2006
Annual Progress Report reported that both countries have made progress in reducing
emissions, which lead to acid rain. The Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network
(IADN) was established in 1990 to collect data that can be useful in assessing the
relative importance of atmospheric deposition. The IADN program established a
database for atmospheric deposition data in both countries.
Individuals can also help prevent acid rain by conserving energy. The less
electricity people use in their homes, the fewer chemicals power plants will emit.
Vehicles are also major fossil fuel users, so drivers can reduce emissions by using
public transportation, carpooling, hybrid and electric cars, biking, or simply walking
wherever possible [2].
8.5 Acid Rain Permit Program
US EPA’s Acid Rain Program was developed in response to Title IV of the 1990
Clean Air Act Amendments. The program requires most power plants and other
facilities that choose to participate in the program to obtain a permit [63, 64].
7 Lake Restoration
291
a 47% reduction in emissions over 5 years [62].
Phase II of the program began in 2000. It affects more power plants and gives all
of the plants fewer allowances. Merrimack Station in New Hampshire had 31,343
allowances per year in Phase I. They have 13,530 allowances in Phase II. This will
lead to further reductions in SO 2 emissions.
The SO 2 cap and allowance trading system proved successful and is now being
used or considered for use to regulate several other pollutants, including NO x and
carbon dioxide.
The Acid Rain Program (ARP) also monitors and limits emission of NO x . In New
England, the acid rain NO x rules have not had a noticeable effect, because other
programs have imposed more stringent limits.
The Acid Rain Program also promotes the use of renewable energy and energy
conservation. Some allowances were set aside to award to companies, which encouraged
residential, commercial, and industrial conservation or used certain forms of renewable
energy. Six New England companies were awarded 4,186 allowances for energy
conservation and for using biomass and landfill gas as a source of energy. Allowances
are also available for solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
New England states have also been active in the fight against acid rain. Prior to
1990, Massachusetts and New Hampshire had passed laws limiting the emissions
from power plants. In 2001, Massachusetts adopted regulations that will further limit
emissions from large power plants by as much as 75% of SO 2 and 50% of NO x .
Connecticut has adopted regulations that will further limit emissions by as much as
50% of the SO 2 and 30% of the NO x currently being emitted.
The United States has been working with Canada to reduce transboundary effects
of acid deposition. A bilateral Air Quality Agreement was signed in March 1991.
The third biennial report, published in 1996, focused on the progress made by the
United States and Canada in achieving emissions reduction goals. Their 2006
Annual Progress Report reported that both countries have made progress in reducing
emissions, which lead to acid rain. The Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network
(IADN) was established in 1990 to collect data that can be useful in assessing the
relative importance of atmospheric deposition. The IADN program established a
database for atmospheric deposition data in both countries.
Individuals can also help prevent acid rain by conserving energy. The less
electricity people use in their homes, the fewer chemicals power plants will emit.
Vehicles are also major fossil fuel users, so drivers can reduce emissions by using
public transportation, carpooling, hybrid and electric cars, biking, or simply walking
wherever possible [2].
8.5 Acid Rain Permit Program
US EPA’s Acid Rain Program was developed in response to Title IV of the 1990
Clean Air Act Amendments. The program requires most power plants and other
facilities that choose to participate in the program to obtain a permit [63, 64].
7 Lake Restoration
291