FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2004
CONTACT: Dee Ann Miller, (850) 245-2112

Florida Meeting Clean Air Standards for Fine Particles

--EPA announces State in attainment with new particle pollution standard—

TALLAHASSEE — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today confirmed that Florida is meeting new, more stringent federal clean air standards for fine particle pollution (PM2.5). Florida is one of just three states east of the Mississippi River meeting all national standards for clean air.

kite in blue sky “Achieving another milestone in clean air demonstrates a continued commitment to Florida’s natural resources and quality of life,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “Reducing emissions and adopting cleaner energy technology is an investment in public health and will ensure a stronger, healthier environment and economy.”

In a letter to Governor Jeb Bush today, EPA Administrator Michael O. Leavitt stated, “all areas in your state meet the standards for fine particles. Your state should be proud of its progress toward cleaner air and meeting the fine particle standards. The challenge now is to not only sustain, but also continue the progress your state has made towards clean air.”

Fine particles include dust, smoke, soot, and liquid droplets too small to be seen except through a microscope. While some particles, like smoke, are released directly into the air, others are formed from chemical reactions between gases emitted by vehicles, power plants and industrial facilities.

The EPA’s new fine particle standard limits levels to 65 micrograms per cubic meter over 24 hours and just 15 micrograms per cubic meter over a year. Based on air quality measurements over the last three years, Florida is meeting both the 24-hour and annual standard for particle pollution, and is one of only thirty states meeting the health-based standard.

“Florida is making investments today to ensure continued attainment of protective air quality standards for ozone and fine particles,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “By using state-of-the-art, cost-effective technologies, we can keep our economy moving while reducing pollution, protecting public health and restoring the environment.”

Particle pollution can contribute to unnaturally hazy skies, acid rain and health problems. EPA estimates that meeting the PM2.5 standard prevents more than 15,000 premature deaths, 75,000 cases of chronic bronchitis and 10,000 hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases nationwide.

Over the last five years, the State of Florida has successfully prompted the modernization of older power plants to achieve large reductions in emissions of soot, sulfur dioxide and smog-contributing nitrogen oxides. Florida is also developing low emission hydrogen and solar energy technologies, which have the potential to be pollution-free power sources for neighborhoods, vehicles and buildings.

This month marks the thirty-fourth anniversary of the Clean Air Act. For more information on Florida’s air, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/flaqs.htm. For more information on EPA’s particle pollution designations, visit http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/.

-30-

004-350

Florida PM 2.5 Designation Letter(pdf version)

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
December 17, 2004 THE ADMINISTRATOR

The Honorable Jeb Bush
Governor, State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee FL 32399

Dear Governor Bush:
Thirty-four years ago this month, the first Clean Air Act signaled the beginning of our country’s resolve to dramatically improve air quality. Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of that law that has enabled us to breathe the cleanest air we have ever measured. As 2004 comes to a close, I am pleased to report that this has been a remarkable year for protecting and improving the country’s air quality.

The Bush Administration has made implementation of a national clean air strategy a top priority by implementing more protective air quality standards for ozone and fine particles and designing national tools to help meet those standards. Legislation and regulation will be the centerpiece of the President’s clean air and clean energy strategy as we move forward. Together, we are on the path to make this generation one of the most productive periods of air quality improvement in our nation’s history.

An important part of our nation’s commitment to clean, healthy air is reducing the levels of fine-particle or PM2.5 pollution. Fine-particle pollution represents one of the most significant barriers to clean air facing our nation today. These tiny particles, about 1/30th the diameter of a human hair, lodge deep in our lungs, and have been associated with heart attacks, chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks and missed days of school and work.

Key to the reduction of particulate pollution is implementation of the fine particle standards and identification of the areas of the country needing additional work to meet the standards. I am pleased to inform you that all areas in your state meet the standards for fine particles. Your state should be proud of its progress towards cleaner air and meeting the fine particle standards. The challenge now is to not only sustain, but also continue the progress your state has made towards clean air.

To assist you, we have both proposed and instituted rules as part of our national clean air strategy that will bring the vast majority of the country into attainment with the standards over the next decade. Our clean air/clean energy strategy, including Clear Skies legislation and the Clean Air Rules, will cut power plant emissions of sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides and mercury by nearly 70 percent when fully implemented, and will reduce emissions from off-road diesel fuels, vehicles and engines by over 90 percent — those black puffs of exhaust smoke are going to be a thing of the past. Together, these Clean Air Rules will build on the tremendous progress made in previous decades, and do it in record time.

The last several decades have seen a growing commitment to clean air coupled with a progression of science and technology that has informed our decision-making and driven our actions. I think of our clean air history as a relay where a baton is passed from generation to generation and from Administration to Administration. This Administration has made a commitment to accelerate our clean air progress so that all Americans live healthier, longer, more productive and prosperous lives.

Sincerely,
/s/
Michael O. Leavitt

cc: Ms. Colleen Castille
Secretary
Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Mr. James I. Palmer
Regional Administrator, Region IV

Resources for: Citizens Educators Businesses Government Information Calendar Contacts News Newsletters Organizational Chart Publications & Reports Unless indicated, documents on this Web site are Adobe Acrobat files, and require the free reader software.	Press Office FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2004 CONTACT: Dee Ann Miller, (850) 245-2112 Florida Meeting Clean Air Standards for Fine Particles --EPA announces State in attainment with new particle pollution standard— TALLAHASSEE — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today confirmed that Florida is meeting new, more stringent federal clean air standards for fine particle pollution (PM2.5). Florida is one of just three states east of the Mississippi River meeting all national standards for clean air. “Achieving another milestone in clean air demonstrates a continued commitment to Florida’s natural resources and quality of life,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “Reducing emissions and adopting cleaner energy technology is an investment in public health and will ensure a stronger, healthier environment and economy.” In a letter to Governor Jeb Bush today, EPA Administrator Michael O. Leavitt stated, “all areas in your state meet the standards for fine particles. Your state should be proud of its progress toward cleaner air and meeting the fine particle standards. The challenge now is to not only sustain, but also continue the progress your state has made towards clean air.” Fine particles include dust, smoke, soot, and liquid droplets too small to be seen except through a microscope. While some particles, like smoke, are released directly into the air, others are formed from chemical reactions between gases emitted by vehicles, power plants and industrial facilities. The EPA’s new fine particle standard limits levels to 65 micrograms per cubic meter over 24 hours and just 15 micrograms per cubic meter over a year. Based on air quality measurements over the last three years, Florida is meeting both the 24-hour and annual standard for particle pollution, and is one of only thirty states meeting the health-based standard. “Florida is making investments today to ensure continued attainment of protective air quality standards for ozone and fine particles,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “By using state-of-the-art, cost-effective technologies, we can keep our economy moving while reducing pollution, protecting public health and restoring the environment.” Particle pollution can contribute to unnaturally hazy skies, acid rain and health problems. EPA estimates that meeting the PM2.5 standard prevents more than 15,000 premature deaths, 75,000 cases of chronic bronchitis and 10,000 hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases nationwide. Over the last five years, the State of Florida has successfully prompted the modernization of older power plants to achieve large reductions in emissions of soot, sulfur dioxide and smog-contributing nitrogen oxides. Florida is also developing low emission hydrogen and solar energy technologies, which have the potential to be pollution-free power sources for neighborhoods, vehicles and buildings. This month marks the thirty-fourth anniversary of the Clean Air Act. For more information on Florida’s air, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/flaqs.htm. For more information on EPA’s particle pollution designations, visit http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/. -30- 004-350 Florida PM 2.5 Designation Letter(pdf version) UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 December 17, 2004 THE ADMINISTRATOR The Honorable Jeb Bush Governor, State of Florida The Capitol Tallahassee FL 32399 Dear Governor Bush: Thirty-four years ago this month, the first Clean Air Act signaled the beginning of our country’s resolve to dramatically improve air quality. Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of that law that has enabled us to breathe the cleanest air we have ever measured. As 2004 comes to a close, I am pleased to report that this has been a remarkable year for protecting and improving the country’s air quality. The Bush Administration has made implementation of a national clean air strategy a top priority by implementing more protective air quality standards for ozone and fine particles and designing national tools to help meet those standards. Legislation and regulation will be the centerpiece of the President’s clean air and clean energy strategy as we move forward. Together, we are on the path to make this generation one of the most productive periods of air quality improvement in our nation’s history. An important part of our nation’s commitment to clean, healthy air is reducing the levels of fine-particle or PM2.5 pollution. Fine-particle pollution represents one of the most significant barriers to clean air facing our nation today. These tiny particles, about 1/30th the diameter of a human hair, lodge deep in our lungs, and have been associated with heart attacks, chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks and missed days of school and work. Key to the reduction of particulate pollution is implementation of the fine particle standards and identification of the areas of the country needing additional work to meet the standards. I am pleased to inform you that all areas in your state meet the standards for fine particles. Your state should be proud of its progress towards cleaner air and meeting the fine particle standards. The challenge now is to not only sustain, but also continue the progress your state has made towards clean air. To assist you, we have both proposed and instituted rules as part of our national clean air strategy that will bring the vast majority of the country into attainment with the standards over the next decade. Our clean air/clean energy strategy, including Clear Skies legislation and the Clean Air Rules, will cut power plant emissions of sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides and mercury by nearly 70 percent when fully implemented, and will reduce emissions from off-road diesel fuels, vehicles and engines by over 90 percent — those black puffs of exhaust smoke are going to be a thing of the past. Together, these Clean Air Rules will build on the tremendous progress made in previous decades, and do it in record time. The last several decades have seen a growing commitment to clean air coupled with a progression of science and technology that has informed our decision-making and driven our actions. I think of our clean air history as a relay where a baton is passed from generation to generation and from Administration to Administration. This Administration has made a commitment to accelerate our clean air progress so that all Americans live healthier, longer, more productive and prosperous lives. Sincerely, /s/ Michael O. Leavitt cc: Ms. Colleen Castille Secretary Florida Department of Environmental Protection Mr. James I. Palmer Regional Administrator, Region IV Last updated: December 20, 2004
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