Attorneys general from Vermont and six other states are asking President Bush to require the Tennessee Valley Authority to adhere to stricter air pollution standards.
In a letter to the president, the attorneys general say pollution from the TVA’s coal-fired power plants is seriously harming the health and environment of Americans in the eastern half of the United States. They say modifications were made at the TVA and its 11 coal-burning power plants between 1982 and 1996 — and those changes warrant adherence to the federal Clean Air Act.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s effort in the case failed on what the state officials called “procedural grounds.” Now they say the only avenue left is a presidential order.
The letter was sent by state officials in Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Illinois and New Jersey.