Md. Ranks Fifth Worst In Power Plant Pollution
BALTIMORE (AP) -- A new study ranks Maryland fifth worst in the nation for pollution from coal- and oil-fired power plants. However, a spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment says the results are misleading.
The results were released Wednesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Physicians for Social Responsibility. Ohio ranked first, followed by Pennsylvania, Florida and Kentucky.
MDE spokeswoman Dawn Stoltzfus says the results are based on 2009 data and noted the state's Healthy Air Act regulating power plant pollution went into effect last year. She says as much as 70 percent of Maryland air pollution comes from out-of-state power plants, including states on top of the NRDC's list. The spokeswoman says the state is working with other northeastern states on the problem.
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