A new report from the American Lung Association says transitioning completely to electric vehicles over the next 20 years could save Arkansans over $9 billion in medical costs by 2050.

Laura Turner with the group says there are many lung-related issues linked vehicle emissions.

“Factoring in all of the issues that we know are connected to pollution and figuring out, based on that, if we [could] reduce those health issues proportionately, such as asthma attacks,” Turner said.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-03-30/report-says-electric-vehicles-could-save-arkansas-billions-in-healthcare

*Michael Hibblen/KUAR News*
An electric vehicle charging station along Interstate 30 in Texarkana, Texas near the Arkansas border on June 20, 2021.

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced plans to reduce ozone-forming emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) to protect downwind states from air pollution from upwind states. Following the announcement, environmental group Sierra Club named the coal-fired plant in western Benton County a contributor to cross-state air pollution and called for its retirement.

The EPA’s proposed action would ensure the 26 states, including Arkansas, that are covered in the proposal would meet the Good Neighbor requirements in the Clean Air Act by reducing pollution that contributes to problems attaining and maintaining the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards in downwind states.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/03/epa-pursues-cross-state-emissions-cuts-sierra-club-seeks-retirement-of-northwest-arkansas-coal-plant/

Report says electric vehicles could save Arkansas billions in health costs

EPA pursues cross-state emissions cuts; Sierra Club seeks retirement of Northwest Arkansas coal plant