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Rowland, who signed the "Sooty Six" bill at the
Norwalk Aquarium, called the legislation a compromise that will substantially
reduce air pollution without jeopardizing the reliability of energy.
"We tried to balance the needs of the energy community and the
environmental community," Rowland said. "I think it's fair and I
think it's a doable approach."
A Democratic lawmaker said Rowland was forced to sign the bill because he is
up for re-election.
"Finally after five years — it's great that he's going to sign
this," said state Rep. Chris Caruso, D-Bridgeport.
The new law sets tougher emission standards for the amount of sulfur dioxide
the plants can emit into the air. It also bans a practice known as
pollution-credit trading, in which owners of older plants are allowed to swap
emission "credits" with newer plants that often are out-of-state.
Last year, the legislature passed a similar bill that was vetoed by Rowland,
who said he was concerned it could jeopardize the reliability of Connecticut's
power supply.
Legislative leaders and Rowland agreed to a compromise this year, adding to
the bill short-term waivers of the stricter standards in the case of a power
emergency or if cleaner fuel is in short supply.
Under the bill, operators of power plants in Bridgeport, Middletown, Milford,
Montville, New Haven and Norwalk will have to meet the strict emission
standards by Jan. 1, 2005.
Supporters say the bill will finally close a legal loophole that exempted the
aging coal- and oil-burning plants from federal clean air standards.
The new standards will reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide by nearly 9,000
tons annually, said Alyssa Schuren, co-coordinator for the Coalition for
Clean Air.
"This is a huge victory," Schuren said, noting that thousands of
residents worked for years on the issue.
By eliminating the provision for pollution trading credit, Connecticut
becomes the first state in the nation to require onsite cleanup of the sulfur
emissions, Caruso said. He said soot from the plant in Bridgeport was so bad
people could write their names on cars near the plant.
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