10.09.07
Rhode Island Was One of Original States to Participate in Federal Lawsuit Against Polluters
Whitehouse, Former RI AG, Praises AEP Clean Air Settlement
Rhode Island Was One of Original States to Participate in Federal Lawsuit Against Polluters
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who as Rhode Island’s Attorney General joined the
1999 federal lawsuit against American Electric Power (AEP), praised today’s $4.6
billion settlement to require AEP to cut pollution at its 16 power plants.
“This is an historic victory for clean air and
the health and safety of the people of Rhode Island,” Whitehouse said.
“I’m
proud that Rhode Island was part of the original lawsuit against American
Electric Power, brought during the Clinton administration. We joined that fight
because it was the right thing to do for our state and our environment. This
settlement will make a significant difference in emissions levels for years to
come.”
According to the Department of Justice, under
the terms of the settlement AEP will be required to cut air pollution by at
least 813,000 tons per year, including the installation of new emission control
equipment. AEP will also pay a $15 million penalty, the highest paid by any
electric utility in a settlement related to the Clean Air Act’s New Source
Review provision, and spend $60 million on environmental cleanup projects.
###
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who as Rhode Island’s Attorney General joined the
1999 federal lawsuit against American Electric Power (AEP), praised today’s $4.6
billion settlement to require AEP to cut pollution at its 16 power plants.
“This is an historic victory for clean air and
the health and safety of the people of Rhode Island,” Whitehouse said.
“I’m
proud that Rhode Island was part of the original lawsuit against American
Electric Power, brought during the Clinton administration. We joined that fight
because it was the right thing to do for our state and our environment. This
settlement will make a significant difference in emissions levels for years to
come.”
According to the Department of Justice, under
the terms of the settlement AEP will be required to cut air pollution by at
least 813,000 tons per year, including the installation of new emission control
equipment. AEP will also pay a $15 million penalty, the highest paid by any
electric utility in a settlement related to the Clean Air Act’s New Source
Review provision, and spend $60 million on environmental cleanup projects.
###
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