Emily Pomilio (480) 286-0401, emily.pomilio@sierraclub.org
Philadelphia, P.A.--The state of Connecticut filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency today for its failure to address a Good Neighbor Petition filed by the state in July of 2016. Both Connecticut and Delaware filed Good Neighbor petitions stating that the Brunner Island power plant, located in Pennsylvania, is interfering with the downwind state's ability to comply with the ozone (or smog) safeguards in the Clean Air Act. Smog-causing NOx pollution from this plant has not only been contaminating Pennsylvania’s air, but also that of Connecticut, Delaware, and many other states.
Both states’ claims are based on air quality modeling showing that the Brunner Island coal-fired power plant’s nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions have contributed significantly to ozone levels as far south as North Carolina, as far north as Canada and as far east as Massachusetts. Connecticut filed a notice of intent to sue back in March asking EPA to step in and control this outsized pollution source that is affecting air quality beyond Pennsylvania’s borders.
In response, Thomas Schuster, Senior Campaign Representative for the Sierra Club, issued the following statement:
“Whether Scott Pruitt believes it or not, the EPA has an obligation to protect the health of all Americans and step in when facilities cause these air quality violations. But with the current administration, it is no surprise that the EPA has failed to respond to Connecticut's petition. It’s clear that there are real dangers coming from the Brunner Island coal-fired power plant and with the summer months approaching, it’s time for the EPA to step up and protect the health of Connecticuters, Pennsylvanians, and Delawareans by closing the Brunner Island loophole in Pennsylvania’s new smog (RACT) rule.
“The Brunner Island power plant is unique among Pennsylvania coal plants as it has no controls for smog-causing NOx, and is one of the largest sources of this pollution on the eastern seaboard.”
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