By Brett Rosenberg
September 29, 2003

Augusta Mayor Bob Young held a half-day Environmental Committee Meeting focused on Clean Air issues at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago on September 9. Several notable speakers from environmental agencies, Capitol Hill and the Chicago region presented timely information for the mayors and environmental commissioners in attendance about new and pending air regulations that may affect the nation's cities and shared strategies for achieving clean air goals and best practices for attaining compliance with regional standards.

Young gave an overview of the challenges facing American cities with respect to promoting safe, clean air. Joe Paisie of the US EPA provided the mayors with an update on the National Ambient Air Standards and Designations that will affect numerous jurisdictions across the county. His presentation included the EPA's status of implementing revised ozone and particulate matter standards — major constituents of smog — over the next several years. He also discussed the timeframes that states and municipalities will need to consider in attaining the new standards.

Bill Wehrum, also with EPA and Chris Miller of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee discussed the role of utilities in improving air quality. Although both discussed what is known as multi-pollutant legislation, this session provided somewhat contrasting opinions on the matter. Wehrum, advocated the President's Clear Skies Initiative, which reduces sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury levels by 70 percent using a cap and trade system. As a follow-up to Clear Skies, Wehrum discussed recent developments in the Clean Air Act's New Source Review (NSR) program. The EPA last month implemented a policy by which electric utilities and other industrial plants will be allowed to spend up to 20 percent of the replacement costs of production equipment on facility upgrades and remain exempt from installing new pollution controls. Previously, NSR regulations required industries to install pollution control devises such as scrubbers or electrostatic precipitators when undertaking anything beyond "routine maintenance," but did not clearly define what would trigger the NSR process. Miller, of the ranking member's staff on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee presented a competing multi-pollutant bill with more stringent pollutant reductions, including carbon dioxide. Miller also noted that regardless of whether a multi-pollutant bill eventually becomes law, the new ozone and particulate matter standards require immediate attention and the administration's new NSR provisions will further challenge cities' ability to attain clean air goals.

install pollution control devises such as scrubbers or electrostatic precipitators when undertaking anything beyond "routine maintenance," but did not clearly define what would trigger the NSR process. Miller, of the ranking member's staff on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee presented a competing multi-pollutant bill with more stringent pollutant reductions, including carbon dioxide. Miller also noted that regardless of whether a multi-pollutant bill eventually becomes law, the new ozone and particulate matter standards require immediate attention and the administration's new NSR provisions will further challenge cities' ability to attain clean air goals.

Dr. S.T. Rao of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) presented the progress of efforts to enhance and extend air quality forecasts. Through a partnership with the EPA, NOAA is working to provide state and local jurisdictions with region'specific emissions data, monitoring data and local air quality monitoring forecasts and warnings. Pilot ozone studies are underway in the Northeast US with an anticipated nationwide extension within five years. A similar extension for particulate matter forecasts is expected within ten years.

Speakers from the Chicago area presented local and regional air quality programs and best practices. Marcia Jimenez, the Environmental Commissioner of the City of Chicago and Steve Walter, the Deputy Commissioner, focused on the challenges and the benefits of multi-jurisdictional regions working cooperatively to meet clean air standards. Through the area's Clean Air Counts Campaign, the six-county Chicago region has focused its campaign to deal with all sectors affecting air quality including all levels of government, businesses, and consumers. Chicago has been successful in improving their air quality and realizing substantial health benefits among its citizens while still encouraging economic growth. Although the region will still face many hurdles in reaching 100 percent attainment with federal clean air regulations, its successes thus far provides a framework for other communities to consider in achieving their air quality goals.

consider in achieving their air quality goals.