Last month the EPA rejected Oklahoma’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions reduction plan. The plan would have had power plants switch to a low-sulfur coal and gradually switch the aging plants to natural gas. The EPA has proposed its own plan which requires Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. (OG&E) and Public Service Co of Oklahoma (PSO) to install scrubber technology or switch immediately to gas.
Sulfur dioxide is a major air pollutant. It’s a precursor to acid rain and can harm our health as well as plant and animal life. The plan includes three Oklahoma coal-fired power plants that were built more than 30 years ago and is expected to reduce SO2 emissions by about 95 percent.
Not all in Oklahoma are happy with the EPA’s plan. Governor Mary Fallin believes the plan would harm the industry and is overbearing. Oklahoma’s attorney general, Scott Pruitt, agrees with Fallin and has vowed to sue the EPA. OG&E has stated they believe that the EPA’s plan wouldn’t have any large improvement over the plan the EPA rejected. OG&E believes the plan will bring increased costs to the company and consumers.
Two hearings are scheduled to allow people to voice their concerns and support for the plan. There will be one in Oklahoma City on April 15th and one in Tulsa on April 14th. You can find more about the hearings and the EPA’s plan on the Sierra Club’s website.
About the Author
Lisa Sharp is passionate about green living, organic food, animals, and natural medicine. She is an environmental activist, green living expert, and consultant. In addition to being the founder and editor of Green Oklahoma, Lisa has a green living blog, Retro Housewife Goes Green. You can follow Lisa on twitter @Retrohousewife5 and Facebook.
Photo credit: Mrs. Gemstone
