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"Riley Factor"
This article was featured in the September 2007
issue of Business Matters, our monthly
print newsletter.
Ozone Standard To Become Even More Unreachable?
The clean air progress achieved under the current
ozone standard is one of the great under-reported
success stories in America. Business and government
have been working cooperatively to achieve
nationwide attainment of this standard. As a result,
America’s air is cleaner than it has been for
decades. From 1980 to last year, average ozone
levels have dropped by 21 percent.
Despite these significant strides in attaining
cleaner air, the EPA is reviewing the 8 hour
Ground-Level Ozone standard and is threatening to
add more regulation to the already aggressive
standard.
Currently, 37 counties in Pennsylvania, including
Berks, are in non-attainment (have not met current
ozone standards). If the EPA goes ahead with the
proposed new standard, it will move the goal post to
new rules that will not ensure better results, but
will ensure higher costs for businesses, taxpayers
and consumers in Berks County.
Studies have shown the stricter ozone standards
could:
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Cost $10-22 billion each year, with no assurance
it will deliver greater health benefits
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Cause a loss of federal transportation dollars
for areas that do not reach these aggressive new
standards
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Affect your Quality of life: ( i.e.
restrictions on driving and other activities)
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Impose hidden costs through more expensive goods
and services.
Industry, agriculture, state and local governments
have important roles in developing and implementing
policy that improves air quality in states while
achieving economic and quality of life objectives.
The rule making process should recognize these roles
and the importance of regional considerations.
As
this is an issue that could directly impact business
and industry within Berks County, the Chamber will
be working to ensure the EPA does not lower the
current 8-Hour Ozone Standard. Stay tuned for
updates in the coming weeks on how you can get
involved with this important issue. Your voice will
be critical in this process.
What is Ozone?
Ground-level ozone (O3) is not emitted directly into
the air but forms through a reaction of nitrogen
oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
with sunlight. It is mainly a summertime air
pollutant. Both urban and rural areas can have high
ozone levels, due to the transport of ozone or NOx
and VOCs from hundreds of miles away.
Emissions from industrial facilities and electric
utilities, motor vehicle exhaust,
gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are the major
man-made sources of NOx and
VOCs.
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