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by

The Honourable Laurel Broten
Minister of the Environment

Media Briefing on Transboundary Air

Washington, D.C.
May 10, 2006

(Check against delivery)

Ladies and gentlemen. Good morning and thank you for joining me today.

I am here today to talk about a problem that affects us equally on both sides of the border.

A problem that kills Canadians and Americans without prejudice.

A problem that costs both of our economies billions of dollars each year.

A problem that we cannot ignore.

That problem is Transboundary Air Pollution.

I’m also here to announce that the Province of Ontario has filed an amicus brief this week at the request of New York State. Our brief supported the United States Justice Department, along with numerous other states and environmental groups in their attempt to uphold a decision that Cinergy Corporation is appealing.

Cinergy has asked the Court of Appeals to reverse a court decision and apply a more lenient hourly emissions test, rather than to apply a tougher, more environmentally protective annual emissions test.

The case is critical to the determination of whether the six electrical facilities will be required to install modern pollution control equipment on plants that have been around since as far back as 1949.

I’m also here in Washington as the Environment Minister of the province of Ontario to speak with key Senators, Members of Congress, Administration officials and environmental leaders because I want this administration to act on the pressing issue of air pollution.

Present environmental policies seem regressive and do not protect human health and the environment as strongly as they could.

So far, I’ve spoken with the offices of Senators Snowe and Clinton. I’ve met with the U.S. EPA and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. And I’ve spoken with executives from health and environmental groups including the American Lung Association, National Environmental Trust, Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council.

I’ve spoken with all of these people to discuss air pollution and to ask them to help develop a cooperative strategy that will clear the air in the Northeast.

And I look forward to upcoming meetings with the offices of Senators Jeffords and Chafee and Congressman Fossell.

We agree that air pollution respects no borders. We know that what is happening in Ontario is not isolated. You’ve all seen similar effects throughout the eastern United States.

These satellite images show the prevailing wind patterns and the path that air pollution follows as it travels from the Southwest, across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast.

Transboundary air pollution is hurting our people’s health and costing our economies billions of dollars every year.

Our citizens are counting on their leaders to do better.

We’ve worked together on water quality for decades now. And it’s time to apply the same regional approach to cleaning up our air.

I’m here in Washington to do just that.

Transboundary air pollution occurs when pollutants, particularly from fossil fuel burning sources, are emitted into the atmosphere where they mix and react.

These pollutants are blown by the prevailing winds for hundreds and hundreds of miles, where they ultimately have a variety of health and environmental impacts.

This animation shows sulphur dioxide being blown from the Midwest into Ontario and the Northeast United States.

Transboundary air pollution also means is that a person living in a ‘green’ location with little or no emissions or environmental footprint can still be severely affected by pollution from sources in jurisdictions that are hundreds of miles away.

These images were taken at Georgian Bay in Northern Ontario – Ontario’s cottage country - on a clear day and a smoggy day. They show how dramatically a rural, northern location is affected by pollution from remote sources in U.S. jurisdictions.

Our science has proven that Ontario could reduce its emissions to zero, and airborne pollutants from U.S. sources would still trigger smog days in our province.

Last year, our government published a report on transboundary air pollution in Ontario that was reviewed by scientists on both sides of the border along with the Ontario Medical Association. It shows that the threat from air pollution is very real and very significant.

The health consequences are especially alarming.

In 2005, transboundary air pollution caused 2,700 premature deaths and sent thousands more to hospital.

Air pollution from the United States is responsible for an estimated 5.2 billion dollars in damage to Ontario’s people, environment and economy.

This includes 3.7 billion dollars in health care costs and 1.5 billion dollars in additional damage to our environment and economy. These numbers are shocking, and by any measure, are simply neither fair nor just.

As the science becomes more sophisticated, we are learning more about the effects of air pollution. And I have to tell you, the news is not good.

In fact, a 2006 report by the American Lung Association estimates that 152 million people in the U.S. live in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particulate matter, the two most prevalent of the principal air pollutants.

Our most at-risk citizens are also at the greatest risk to the effects of this pollution.

Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because their respiratory defenses are not fully formed. Their airways are smaller and more likely to become blocked when irritated. They breathe more rapidly, taking in more pollution per pound of body weight.

Similarly, the elderly are at increased risk from exposure to air pollutants like ozone, which further reduces their lung function. Air pollutants also increase a senior’s susceptibility to infections such as influenza and pneumonia.

Now more than ever, we need to work with neighbouring states and provinces to address this common threat.

My government’s first priority is to protect the health of our citizens. We are committed to a clean environment for our children and their children.

We have taken aggressive steps to curb air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions within our province. We are working toward having “clean hands” and we’re now asking others to take action.

Ontario is the first jurisdiction in North America to put the environment and the health of our citizens first by saying “no” to coal and committing to eliminate all of the province’s coal-powered electricity generating plants and replacing them with a supply of cleaner, renewable energy.

The Province of Ontario is committed to securing green power in the future. Wind and water will replace coal. Renewable energy will be sold into the power grid.

We are also reducing vehicle emissions through mandatory tailpipe testing and by requiring that ethanol is being added to gasoline. And Ontario is heavily investing in public transit and carpooling initiatives.

We have set strict air emission caps for seven industrial sectors. And we’re proud to have set new, tougher standards for 40 harmful air pollutants.

Ontario’s new greenbelt plan will protect 1.8 million acres – a 3000 square mile area larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island – in Southern Ontario. The Greenbelt will control sprawl, conserve nature, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect air, water and soil.

All told, these measures have helped Ontario reduce its annual emissions of smog-causing pollutants by almost one million tonnes (1.1 million U.S. tons) since 1990. While at the same time, the province’s population and economy has grown significantly.

Clearly, Ontario is taking a leadership role in reducing air pollution. The Premier of Ontario had the foresight to realize the magnitude of this issue and he introduced the concept of working alongside our neighbours to the south.

We are committed to building partnerships, sharing knowledge, and finding real cross-border solutions to sustained air quality improvement.

We know that many of our neighbours are dedicated to cutting air emissions.

New York Attorney General Spitzer and Governor Pataki and Pennsylvania Governor Rendell have all recently taken action to reduce emissions from their power sectors.

California has some of the strictest vehicle emission controls in the world and Governor Schwarzenegger is working hard on the climate change file.

18 states have filed formal comments opposing the EPA’s New Source Review rules that, if made, will weaken regulations governing air emissions, particularly in coal burning plants. On February 17th of this year, Ontario joined its neighbours and also submitted comments.

We want the rules that have been in place since the 1970’s upheld. And we want the EPA to strengthen and vigorously enforce its own New Source Review rules to protect air quality for everyone – on both sides of the border.

I know that if we work together, we can conquer this challenge.

I’m here to ask our neighbours to look closely at the costs of air pollution.

The cost in human health and lost lives.

The cost to the environment.

The cost to our economies.

These costs of business-as-usual are too great to ignore.

We would like to see legislators and regulators at both the federal and state levels join Ontario and take action to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases.

To use innovation and technology, including modern pollution controls, to reduce energy use and our reliance on fossil fuels.

To come up with solutions to improve the air we share.

To work with neighbouring jurisdictions and the business sector to develop partnerships and alliances that collaboratively encourage others to follow our lead.

Most of all we would like to see the U.S. federal government and the EPA work with the individual states to come up with a plan that protects the air we all breathe.

To put the health of our people and environment first.

We know it can be done if we act decisively and collectively.

On June 26th, the government of Ontario will host the 2006 Shared Air Summit to continue this campaign.

The Summit, which will be held in Toronto, will gather political, business, scientific and health leaders from the United States and Canada to come to the Summit, share solutions and learn more about why Ontario is leading the fight for cleaner air and better health for all of our citizens.

This is my first trip to Washington as Environment Minister, but it won’t be my last. The meetings I’ve had so far have been successful, but the job of cleaning our shared air is far from over.

I am serious about getting this issue on everyone’s agenda. And I’m even more serious about finding a solution.

That’s why I’m asking all jurisdictions – particularly in the Midwest and the Northeast – to work collaboratively with Ontario to support this goal.

And I am asking the U.S. federal government to reverse its recent trend of regressive environmental policy and make air quality a top priority.

It is critical to the good health and quality of life of our citizens today – and our children tomorrow.

Thank you.

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