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Environmental Excellence

 Air 

Cleaner air: great progress has been made, even as demand for electricity increases.

The U.S. electric power sector has reduced air emissions substantially under existing programs. The industry has cut sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions by 48 percent and nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions by 54 percent between 1980 and 2007.  The industry will achieve much greater reductions over the next decade due to federal and state regulations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air Visibility Rule, the tightened 2006 particulate matter standard, the tightened 2008 ozone standard and EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule, or whatever replaces it. 

The power sector also has cut emissions of mercury by about 40 percent through efforts to reduce other pollutants.  The electric power industry has achieved these reductions despite enormous increases in electricity generation (75 percent since 1980).

  • Mercury
    Find out about the electric power industry's commitment to reducing mercury emissions.
  • New Source Review
    Learn why New Source Review (NSR) is one of the most complex and burdensome programs of the federal Clear Air Act.
  • Ozone
    Find out how electric companies are reducing emissions that form ozone.
  • Particulate Matter
    Learn how electric companies are reducing emissions that form particulate matter.
  • Interstate Transport
    Find out about the Clean Air Interstate Rule.
  • Toxics Release Inventory
    Learn about emissions reporting under the Toxics Release Inventory.
  • Regional Haze

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