Background
Due to inadequate legislation and regulations, power plants are the largest source of industrial air pollution for New York and the nation. Generating electricity is a major source of the pollution that causes
ozone-smog,
acid rain,
soot,
mercury poisoning and
global warming. Poor planning by the state, along with inadequate emissions standards, has lead to a recent increase in pollution from out-dated power plants. These same conditions will mean that emissions from new power plants add to already high levels of pollution from existing facilities.
In order to address the environmental and public health impacts of generating electricity, New York must implement comprehensive, modern emissions standards that apply to old and new power plants, and then call on the federal government to do the same. In addition, New York must reform the review process for building new facilities. Both the state and the nation must dramatically increase investments in demand management and renewable power generation programs.
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Background 
Impacts of Power Plant Pollution Efficiency and Conservation
Renewable Energy
Building New Power Plants Green Electricity
Federal Energy Issues Clean Air Enforcement Project support NYPIRG
