This may not sound like much, unless one considers that one ton of sulfur dioxide is enough to kill any lake in Maine. Along with allowances purchased in prior years, A.R.R.F. now owns the right to emit 53 tons of sulfur dioxide per year, every year. Examination of EPA Allowance Auction results 1993-2000 indicates 62 groups or individuals have purchased 1,019 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions allowances for purposes other than emitting air pollution. Since many purchases were made in earlier years, and unused allowances have accumulated, these groups now own the right to emit 5,757 tons of sulfur dioxide in 2001. This is more than the annual allocation of allowances for 22 out of the 105 dirtiest generating units in the United States.
Small actions add up.
A.R.R.F. is accepting donations for the next EPA Auction in March 2001. Acid Rain Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 10272, Portland, ME 04104. For more about acid rain and Maine's forests also see Tree Death and Forest Decline by Paul Donahue.