
				Pat Quinn, Governor

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Environmental Progress - Spring 2003

Electric Generating Units To Reduce Major Pollutant

Illinois is first Midwestern state to implement rules

On May 1, Illinois became the first midwestern state to implement statewide regulations to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 56 percent from most of the state’s power plants. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) is a major pollutant that contributes to the formation of smog during summer months.

The new rules, adopted by the Illinois Pollution Control Board in April 2001, will affect all electric generating units with a capacity greater than 25 megawatts. There are 103 electric generating units, owned by nine electric companies, that must meet these regulations.

As a result of the rules, statewide nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced by more than 63,000 tons - the equivalent of all the nitrogen oxides put out by the more than 4.5 million on-road vehicles in the Chicago metro area.

“Illinois’ leadership in implementing these regulations on power plants will have positive benefits for the health and environment of our citizens,” said Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.

“These regulations and reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions are a major step in our effort to meet federal ground-level ozone standards in the Chicago and Metro East areas,” added Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano.

Nitrogen oxides combined with volatile organic compounds react with sunlight to form ground-level ozone under certain weather conditions.