EPA STRENGTHENS AIR QUALITY STANDARD FOR SO2 TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH EPA is issuing a final 1-hour SO2 standard rule to better protect public health from the adverse effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from power plants. This standard is more protective against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours and will replace the old standard. It is estimated that the new standard will prevent 2,300 to 5,900 premature deaths and 54,000 asthma attacks a year. EPA is also improving the monitoring requirements for SO2 and will identify/designate areas not meeting the new standard by June 2012. For more information, go to _http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide_ (http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide) EPA OFFERS COOLING TIPS FOR EVERY BUDGET THIS SUMMER EPA's Energy Star program is offering low- to no-cost energy-efficient cooling tips to beat the heat. A typical household spends almost 20 percent of its utility bill on cooling, and by taking steps this summer to improve energy efficiency, you can save energy, save money and help fight climate change. For example: if your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star model could cut your cooling costs by 30 percent. Get information about keeping cool and comfortable while saving money this season at _http://www.energystar.gov_ (http://www.energystar.gov/)