BRATTELBORO, Vt. (AP) — Vermont has joined 11 other states in support of a Clean Air Act rule that would reduce air pollution from power plants.
The Environmental Protection Agency recently promulgated rules that are meant to reduce toxic air pollution from coal and oil-fired power plants, known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. The rules are meant to curb power plant emissions of mercury and other pollutants that are known to cause cancer, respiratory illness, and other serious health effects.
Attorney General Bill Sorrell said in a news release that emissions of mercury and other pollutants travel from out-of-state power plants to Vermont and contaminate the air, soil, water and fish.
The EPA estimates that the rule will provide Vermont up to $83 million in health benefits in 2016.