Total ozone season nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from power plants and other large combustion sources declined 30 percent between 2003 and 2004 and are 50 percent lower than in 2000 in the Northeastern United States, according to a new report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The NOx reductions, when combined with other control programs have reduced ozone season NOx emissions from sources in 19 eastern states and the District of Columbia, by 70 percent below 1990 levels.

EPA said this progress was the result of the NOx credit trading program that reduces pollution at the least cost using a market-based approach.

The NOx Budget Trading Program was modeled after the Northeast Ozone Transport Commission's NOx Budget Program and EPA's Acid Rain Program to deliver important emissions reductions.

Continued NOx emission reductions are anticipated under the NOx SIP call and the Clean Air Interstate Rule, or CAIR. CAIR, issued March 10, 2005, will permanently cap power plant emissions of SO2 and NOx in 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia.

In 2015, CAIR, the NOx SIP Call and other programs in the East will reduce ozone season NOx emissions by about 50 percent and annual NOx emissions by about 60 percent from 2003 levels.

The report, "Evaluating Ozone Control Programs in the Eastern United States: Focus on the NOx Budget Trading Program, 2004" is available online.

For more information, visit the EPA NOx Budget Trading Program webpage.

8/19/2005