Air Quality

After more than 30 years of progress under the Clean Air Act and its amendments, the results are clear: federal regulations are working to produce cleaner air, in the nation and in Illinois.  While U.S. coal-generated electricity has increased by 64 percent since 1980, emissions from coal-based generation have significantly decreased.  The Clean Air Act is a regulatory success story that should serve as a model for future regulation throughout the world.

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Illinois power producers have spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the past several years to comply with tougher federal and state standards.  They expect to spend hundreds of millions more to meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Mercury Rule, the first-ever mercury emissions regulations in the world.
Issued in 2005, this rule will achieve a 70 percent reduction of U.S. mercury emissions, with the first reductions beginning in 2010.  Under the rule, Illinois will be required to reduce emissions by 80 percent.

Investments made by Illinois power generators to comply with federal regulations are paying off. 

For example, regulations that took effect in Illinois in 2004 are slashing emissions of nitrogen oxides—a principle component of smog—by 75 percent from 1996 levels. With the measured approach taken in the federal mercury rule—which takes into account the need to develop and test emissions-reducing technology—air quality in Illinois will continue to improve.

The nation and this state should stay on the successful course charted by the Clean Air Act and continue to reduce emissions in a manner that allows companies like Ameren, Dynegy and Midwest Generation to maintain good Illinois jobs and ensure a reliable, affordable supply of electricity.