Va. Panel Orders Power Plants To Cut Components of Smog

Starting in 2009, smog-causing emissions from Virginia power plants will be sharply cut.

The State Air Pollution Control Board voted unanimously last week to require the emission reductions in nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, both linked to smog, haze and acid rain.

The Environmental Protection Agency requires the cuts under a 2005 federal regulation called the Clean Air Interstate Rule, which is designed to cut pollution that blows across state lines.

Based on rough estimates, the state program will cut emissions of:

· Nitrogen oxides by 46 percent, from 216,000 tons to 136,000 tons in 2010, and to 116,000 tons in 2015.

· Sulfur dioxide by 45 percent, from 69,000 tons to 42,000 tons in 2009, and to 38,000 tons in 2015.

Dominion Virginia Power, the state's largest utility, said shareholders -- not customers -- will absorb much of the cost of installing pollution controls.

The company's rates are frozen until 2011 under a state plan to deregulate electric power. After that, the company said, the market will determine the rates.

The EPA has said the new round of emission cuts will result, regionally, in $85 billion to $100 billion in annual health benefits after 2015.

The agency said the reductions also will reduce haze in such places as Shenandoah National Park.