In one of the nation's largest settlements, the American Electric Power Co [1]. has agreed to pay at least $4.6 billion to install chemical emissions controls on its powers plants, according to the Journal News [2]. The agreement will curb smokestack pollutants that have not only brought smog and acid rain to New York, but also a myriad of environmental and health problems along with them.

The case against AEP began in 1999 in an effort to crackdown on energy companies that were expanding power plants without installing air pollution controls, as required by the Clean Air Act [3]. If AEP fails to comply with the settlement, the company faces daily penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The settlement also stipulated that AEP must pay $60 million to help counteract the pollution in national parks and waterways.

"Today's landmark settlement is a win for all New Yorkers," said Michael Seilback, senior director of public policy and advocacy for the American Lung Association of New York. Seilback is among many advocates who believe the benefits from the agreement won't take long to have an impact.