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The dynamics of the earth’s atmosphere makes air a borderless medium and air pollution, therefore, doesn’t respect borders. Even if one state enforces strict emissions regulations, it can still suffer from pollution drifting in from a neighboring state with less stringent standards, making some instances of political decision-making, shared. To address this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the Good Neighbor Plan in July 2023.
Its purpose is to improve air quality across state lines by addressing the transport of harmful air pollution, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone, from upwind states to downwind states.
The key aspects of the Good Neighbor Plan include:
• Addressing Cross-State Pollution: The plan focuses on regulating emissions that drift across state borders and contribute to elevated ozone levels in neighboring areas.
• Stricter Emission Controls: It requires states to implement stronger emission control measures on sources of NOx, which are major precursors to ozone formation. These sources include power plants, industrial facilities, and other high-emission sectors.
• Reducing Ozone Levels: The ultimate goal is to lower ground-level ozone concentrations to comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set by the Clean Air Act.
The plan is part of the EPA’s broader strategy to ensure that all states can meet federal air quality standards and protect public health, particularly in areas where local communities have been affected by the transboundary nature of air pollution. It complements other initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and combating climate change.
However, this initiative is facing legal challenges, with the Supreme Court currently weighing whether to block the plan altogether. If you’re curious about what this means for our air quality and the environment, this article from Grist delves deeper into the debate: Supreme Court weighs blocking a federal plan to cut smog pollution.
My activism with Moms Clean Air Force in Washington D.C. led me to support the Good Neighbor Plan in front of the U.S. Capitol one chilly morning, which led to this article's photo!
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