Statement By New York Governor Spitzer On The American Electric Power Settlement

October 9, 2007 -- "I am gratified by today’s announcement that one of New York’s major environmental lawsuits, filed in federal court in 1999, has been settled. Groundbreaking cases like these against the country’s major polluters demonstrate how the states can provide important leadership on environmental issues and play a significant role in the effort to reduce acid rain, smog and respiratory disease.

The case against American Electric Power was successfully settled today requiring 16 coal fired power plants which were polluting New York’s air to comply with the Clean Air Act. Working with seven other states, the environmental community and the federal government, the state proved that massive coal burning power plants had expanded their operations without installing essential air pollution controls, as the Clean Air Act requires.

Without the pollution controls, millions of tons of air pollutants were emitted into the air, contributing to a range of environmental and health problems. The Adirondacks, Catskills and Hudson Highlands have been especially hard hit by the devastating impacts of acid rain. The settlement with American Electric Power will help alleviate these daunting problems. This is an important clean air victory and I commend everyone who brought it to the finish line.

Source: New York Governor

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