New Jersey said Tuesday that the US Environmental Protection Agency has pledged to act by February on the state's petition to force a coal-fired plant in Pennsylvania to reduce its emissions.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in September sent a second request to EPA asking it to force RRI Energy's Portland Plant across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania to reduce emissions.
The effect of sulfur dioxide emissions from the plant is more widespread than previously thought, the state said in the petition. The petition incorporated the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for sulfur dioxide that EPA adopted in June.
The state wants EPA to order scrubbers be installed at the plant's two coal-fired units, which they said could reduce SO2 emissions by 95%. The two units have a combined capacity of 401 MW.
"This is an issue of critical importance regarding the health and welfare of our residents who have a right to be protected from this out-of-state pollution," Commissioner Bob Martin said.
EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a letter dated November 10 that EPA would formally respond to the petition by February and would hold a public hearing at a venue suggested by the state.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in September sent a second request to EPA asking it to force RRI Energy's Portland Plant across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania to reduce emissions.
The effect of sulfur dioxide emissions from the plant is more widespread than previously thought, the state said in the petition. The petition incorporated the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for sulfur dioxide that EPA adopted in June.
The state wants EPA to order scrubbers be installed at the plant's two coal-fired units, which they said could reduce SO2 emissions by 95%. The two units have a combined capacity of 401 MW.
"This is an issue of critical importance regarding the health and welfare of our residents who have a right to be protected from this out-of-state pollution," Commissioner Bob Martin said.
EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a letter dated November 10 that EPA would formally respond to the petition by February and would hold a public hearing at a venue suggested by the state.
