2010 Progress Report - International Joint Commission

Progress Report 2010
SECTION 2
Related Air Quality Efforts
New England Governors and
Eastern Canadian Premiers
The Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers
(NEG/ECP) is a unique international relationship of six New England state
governors (from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island and Vermont) and fi ve eastern Canadian premiers (from New Brunswick,
Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec).
The conference was created in 1973 and addresses many topics, including
the environment, economic development, tourism, energy, fi sheries, trade
and agriculture.
At the June 2009 meeting of the NEG/ECP, governors
and premiers of the Acid Rain and Air Quality Steering
Committee reported that they have met all of the key
action items that were set out in the Acid Rain Action
Plan of 1998. These included the following:
• coordinated data collection and management
• development of regional surface water quality and
fi ne particulate matter monitoring programs
• the implementation of a regional forest mapping
research project
• increased public awareness and education
• the establishment of appropriate emission reduction
targets: a regional 50% reduction of SO 2
emissions
by 2010 and a 20–30% reduction in NO x
emissions
by 2007
The Acid Rain and Air Quality Steering Committee
is looking to refocus its activities to address current
environmental concerns. It will assess current federal
standards and processes for airborne pollutants in
order to determine whether there is a need to update
regional emissions beyond 2010. The committee is also
considering initiatives related to wood combustion and
expanding public access to information on air quality.
42