On the recordNovember 10, 2011
I wish to follow the remarks of my colleague in a colloquy, briefly, saying I agree with him which is why I voted to support restrictions on cross-State air pollution. Certainly coming from Maryland, I understand that one State can pollute another, especially given the prevailing westerly winds. But even in the State of Illinois we estimate that the rule will reduce pollution in Chicagoland by 7 to 13 percent and in high-ozone time, the highest pollution, 24 percent. We have also seen quite a number of our powerplants already reengineer their plants to control pollution, expecting this regulation which, by the way, comes from the Bush administration, the initial legislation, and pursuant to a Federal court order. I commend my colleague and say there is bipartisan agreement that we control cross-State pollution. This rule, by the data that was provided by the Congressional Research Service, has a significant amount of benefit in reducing particulate matter that would be in the State of Illinois and especially Eastern States.
