Environmental news isn't all bad

The US Environmental Protection Agency's new Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) will require that coal-burning power plants in 28 US states reduce their emissions of smog and soot. Because CAIR regulates the flow of air pollution between states, the rules affects 28 eastern and central states, but does not apply to larger western states like California, where pollution between states is not a critical issue. The goal of CAIR is to cut emissions of sulfur dioxide by 73% and nitrogen oxides by 61% by the year 2015. Atmospheric sulfur dioxide is a major cause of acid rain, and nitrogen oxides creates smog. By reducing rates of lung-related illnesses, the cuts are predicted to prevent 17,000 premature deaths and 700,000 lung-related illnesses every year.