Thursday, June 26, 2003
STATES NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. and Canada will increase their cooperation to reduce cross-border air pollution.
Both nations will take part in the three pilot projects designed to enhance the outcomes of air quality management strategies already in place, Canadian Environment Minister David Anderson said in a joint statement with Christie Todd Whitman, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
One of the projects will focus on a joint probe of the feasibility of emissions trading for nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, two major contributors to smog and acid rain in affected areas.
What else?
Other projects will focus on the Pacific Northwest, where the goal will be to cut emissions in the Georgia Basin and Puget Sound areas, and the third will focus on southeastern Michigan and southwestern Ontario.
In 2000, Canada and the United States agreed to reduce transboundary smog with the Ozone Annex. Under the annex, Canada pledged to meet or exceed U.S. clean air standards through new vehicle, small engine and diesel engine emission regulations.
In return, the U.S. pledged to cut nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide levels and to reduce the use of harmful chemicals often used for coatings.
In January 2003, under the Border Air Quality Strategy, designed to compliment the 1991 Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement, both countries promised to announce plans such as these pilot projects in the near future.
According to Anderson, $40 million has been budgeted for the new pilot project.