Acid Rain Program

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The Acid Rain Program is a market-based initiative taken by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to reduce overall atmospheric levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain [1]. The program is an implementation of emissions trading that primarily targets coal-burning power plants, allowing them to buy and sell emission permits (called "allowances") according to individual needs and costs.

Contents

[edit] History

Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act established the allowance market system we know today as the Acid Rain Program. Initially targeting only sulfur dioxide, Title IV set a decreasing cap on total SO2 emissions for each of the following several years, aiming to reduce overall emissions to 50% of 1980 levels. The program did not begin immediately, but was implemented in two stages: Phase I (beginning January 1, 1995) and Phase II (starting January 1, 2000).

[edit] Success

Overall, the Program's cap and trade program has been immensely successful in achieving its goals. Since the 1990s, SO2 emissions have dropped 40%, and according to the Pacific Research Institute, acid rain levels have dropped 65% since 1976.[1][2] Furthermore, the EPA estimates that by 2010, the overall costs of complying with the program for businesses and consumers will be $1 billion to $2 billion a year, only one fourth of what was originally predicted.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ 'Cap-and-trade' model eyed for cutting greenhouse gases / Method has proved successful in reducing emissions that produce acid rain pollution
  2. ^ Facts On File News Services Databases
  3. ^ 'Cap-and-trade' model eyed for cutting greenhouse gases / Method has proved successful in reducing emissions that produce acid rain pollution

[edit] External links


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