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Experts Agree Northeast Can Achieve Air Quality Improvements While Meeting Growing Energy Demands

Release Date: 07/16/2001
Contact Information: Amy Miller, Press Office, (617) 918-1042 Cindy Drucker, NESCAUM, (617) 367-8540 Suzanne Shaw, UCS (617) 547-5552, x217

BOSTON – State, regional and national officials joined with environmental advocates and industry and utility representatives today at an all-day conference entitled "Keeping the Lights On and The Air Clean," to discuss the air quality outlook for the Northeast in light of growing energy demands.

Co-sponsored by the New England office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and the Union of Concerned Scientists, experts at the conference agreed that the Northeast states can achieve substantial additional reductions in air pollution while meeting forecasted needs for an adequate, reliable, affordable energy supply in the Northeast.

"Some suggest that America has to choose between energy and the environment and that we can't have one without sacrificing the other," said EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman. "But I'm here to tell you that's a false choice. We can meet America's energy needs and we can meet our sacred obligations as stewards of the environment. They are not mutually exclusive goals. We are not faced with an ‘either-or' choice."

The Northeast states have demonstrated their commitment of simultaneously improving air quality and securing a reliable energy supply by pursuing a balanced mix of supply and demand options, maintaining high environmental standards and promoting advanced, clean technologies. The Northeast states are taking bold steps to achieve substantial reductions in the major air pollutants caused by power plant emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur, mercury and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Several states, such as Massachusetts and Connecticut, have adopted multi-pollutant power plant regulations that are setting the course for the national debate. Additional examples of balancing air and energy goals include: the establishment of renewable portfolio and emissions performance standards, state climate action plans, regional mercury action plans that go beyond federal obligations, energy efficiency efforts, and substantial conservation investments.

This comprehensive clean air framework provides a sound footing for necessary efforts to increase supply in a manner consistent with our public health needs. Experts agree New Englanders will not face an energy crisis in the foreseeable future like the one experienced in California recently. New England's supply picture has been significantly aided by the development of new power plants. Since 1997, over 25 new power plants, representing over 13,000 megawatts of new generation capacity or more than half of New England's summertime peak demand, have been permitted. Of this, about 1,500 megawatts is operational and another 1,600 is expected to be operational this summer.

"Massachusetts' willingness to make new clean power plant construction an integral part of its deregulation law and Governor Swift's moves to clean up old coal-burning plants proves you can have clean air and keep the lights on. It is an example that the rest of the country ought to follow," said Robert Durand, secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.

Deborah Donovan of the Union of Concerned Scientists stated, "Renewable energy and energy efficiency must play an important role in meeting our long-term air and energy objectives. As a high-tech center, the northeast is poised to lead the nation in developing the clean energy sources for the future."

Executive Director of NESCAUM, Jason Grumet stated, "Meeting our long-term energy demands while reducing harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases is a formidable and clear challenge for the region and the nation. Fortunately, the solution is equally clear. We must enact comprehensive federal caps on power sector pollution. NESCAUM looks forward to continuing to support efforts to enact effective multi-pollutant legislation that inspires technological innovation, provides certainty for industry and most importantly protects public health."

The effort to simultaneously address clean air and energy needs enjoys strong bipartisan support in the region. Sen. John F. Kerry said, "Today's conference demonstrates the overwhelming need to develop a national energy policy based on nonpolluting fuels and energy efficiency. It also proves that business leaders, environmentalists, and public policymakers can work together to discuss the possibilities of clean energy and develop solutions to these challenges. I commend NESCAUM, EPA New England, and the Union of Concerned Scientists on their forward-thinking work in ensuring a thriving energy market, economy, and environment."

Sen. Bob Smith, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, added, "Energy security and a healthy environment must be one and the same if we are to meet the long-term needs of America. We can be successful in meeting the nation's energy and environmental needs if all sides are willing to rise above politics and work together to find common-sense solutions. This is one of my top priorities, and I fully expect this Congress to make significant progress on this issue."