R.I. joins deal to improve air quality

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Rhode Island has joined a multi-state settlement which will help fund air quality projects.

According to Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, an Ohio-based electric company has agreed to pay $8.5 million to multiple states in a settlement that required the reduction of air pollution to downwind states from its coal-fired power plants.

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The settlement was reached as a result of eight states, including Rhode Island, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a number of citizens' groups joining together to renegotiate a settlement with American Electric Power (AEP) made in 2007. Under the new terms, AEP will reduce its total sulfur dioxide emission by 90 percent over the next 15 years.

"As a state, we have made a commitment to reduce our carbon and air pollution footprint by making state-owned-and-operated facilities more energy efficient," said Kilmartin. "Clean, green, energy-efficient facilities reduce taxpayer costs, cut the harmful pollutants in our city and improve our quality of life."

Rhode Island will receive around $714,000 which will be used to fund public air pollution mitigation projects.