Lay of the Land

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Winners and Losers

In 2001, U.S. power plants killed more people than died in the World Trade Center. According to a report by the Rockefeller Family Fund’s Environmental Integrity Project, between 4,800 and 5,600 deaths resulted from emissions from the nation’s 41 dirtiest plants. Since 1990, these plants have been allowed to buy and sell pollution credits among themselves. While this program has helped reduce overall SO2 emissions by a third, not everyone has benefited: 31 of the 41 plants actually increased their emissions, raising pollution levels in 16 states. (See "Ways & Means,".) The Bush administration is now seeking to expand pollution trading under its Clear Skies initiative. If Congress okays Clear Skies, will you be a winner, or a loser?

For details, see the Rockefeller Family Fund’s November 2002 report "Left Behind" at www.rffund.org