ajor reduction in acid rain. The reduction is accomplished in two phases.Phase I of the program went into effect January 1, 1995.4 Big coal-burning boilers in one hundred and ten power plants in twenty-one Midwest, Appalachian, Southeastern and Northeastern states will have to reduce releases of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide omissions.4 As a result of Phase I, acid rain concentrations have lowered by twenty five percent.4 Today, the average cost annually experienced in Phase I is about two hundred dollars per ton.7 In 2000, Phase II of the acid rain program goes into effect, further reducing the sulfur dioxide releases from the big coal-burning power plants and covering other smaller polluters.3 Affected sources are required to install systems that monitor emissions in order to track progress. The average annual cost for this phase is about one hundred and eighty five to two hundred and twenty dollars per ton.7To cut down on nitrogen oxide pollution, EPA will require power plants to reduce their nitrogen oxide releases, and will require reductions in nitrogen oxide releases from new cars. Reducing nitrogen oxide releases will reduce both acid rain and smog formation. Companies that release less than the amount of regulated emissions can sell pollution credits to other companies.4 Each source must have sufficient credits to cover its annual emissions. Companies that fail to meet the federal requirements are subject to a two thousand dollar per ton excess emission fee.4 B. The Air Quality AccordThis agreement was signed by the United States and Canada to guarantee cleaner air and a healthier environment for both Canadians and Americans.5 On August 5, 1980, the United States and Canada agreed to Memorandum of Intent concerning transboundrary air pollution. The Memorandum of Intent stated that sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions would be lowered by using previous laws that were established through the Clean Air Act. Scientists were appo...
