Mr. Spitzer's action marked the first time any state had sued a polluter in a different state for violating the federal Clean Air Act. I hope that this deal will be a template for other settlements. In addition to reducing nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, Virginia Electric will cut particulate emissions, or soot, at the eight plants, which are all in Virginia and West Virginia. Sulfur dioxide, produced mainly by burning coal, is the primary cause of acid rain and acid snow, which threaten the health of Adirondack forests and lakes. Nitrogen oxides break down in hot weather and help form lung-damaging ozone, or smog, especially in urban areas like New York City, and they also contribute to acid rain and snow.
Soot is a factor in a number of respiratory ailments, including asthma.
Environmentalists hailed the deal as one of the most important steps ever taken against an industry that is a major source of air pollution. The downside of the agreement with Virginia Electric will affect its shareholders and possibly its customers, who may see higher electricity rates. Scientists have known for years that while the Northeastern states have some of the nation's toughest emissions rules, much of their pollution blows in on the prevailing winds from other states where standards are more lax. The states and the E.P.A. have been trying, without success, to reach an agreement for Midwestern and Southern states to reduce their output of nitrogen oxides. Mr. Iwanowicz said that if all the Midwestern and Southern power companies made the reductions that Virginia Electric has agreed to, it could put the New York metropolitan region into compliance with the ozone health standards that it routinely violates on hot summer days.