Number: RL32927
Title: Clean Interstate Rule: Review and Analysis
Authors: Larry Parker, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: On March 10, 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final rule to address the effects of interstate transport of air pollutants on nonattainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulates (PM2.5) and ozone (specifically, the 8-hour standard). The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) was first proposed as the Interstate Air Quality (IAQ) rule and appeared in the Federal Register January 30, 2004. For PM2.5, CAIR finds that the interstate transport of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from 23 states and the District of Columbia contributes significantly to downwind nonattainment; for ozone, CAIR finds that interstate transport of NOx from 25 states and the District of Columbia contributes significantly to downwind nonattainment of the 8-hour standard. This result differs some from the proposed rule because of improved modeling.
Pages: 20
Date: May 20, 2005