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Emissions Trading Alternative Will Help Improve Visibility in National Parks

Release Date: 10/06/2006
Contact Information: John Millett, (202) 564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov

(10/6/06) To help state and tribal governments improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas, EPA has finalized an emissions trading program for its Clean Air Visibility Rule. The emissions trading program provides states and tribes with an alternative approach for applying Best Alternative Retrofit Technology (BART). The BART requirements would be satisfied if the trading program meets or exceeds the visibility benefits resulting from BART.

The BART requirements of the Clean Air Visibility Rule apply to industrial facilities, built between 1962 and 1977, that emit air pollutants that reduce visibility by causing or contributing to regional haze. The Clean Air Visibility Rule, including the BART requirements finalized on June 15, 2005, will provide approximately $240 million annually in visibility improvements in southeastern and southwestern parks. The rule will also provide substantial health benefits in the range of $8.4 - $9.8 billion each year -- preventing an estimated 1,600 premature deaths, 2,200 non-fatal heart attacks, 960 hospital admissions, and more than 1 million lost school and work days. The total annual costs of this rule range from $1.4 to $1.5 billion. Today's rule applies to an emissions trading alternative that states and tribes may use to improve visibility in specially protected areas.

Information about EPA's regional haze program, and the trading program announced today: epa.gov/visibility