By Judy Sheahan
November 1, 2004

MWMA public sector members were briefed on their role regarding improving air quality by Art Williams, Director of Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District at the October 22 meeting in Lexington (KY).

Williams outlined the challenges that the Louisville Metro area faced including being downwind from a major manufacturing area. As a result of air monitoring, it was determined by Region Four of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the Louisville Metro area had the worst exposure to air toxics and thereby potentially increasing the health risks for the citizens of that region.

Williams told the group that Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson and the Authority developed a plan to reduce air toxics with the initial focus on stationary sources, including 173 companies in their region. After progress is made with these companies, the plan is to then focus on mobile sources and smaller stationary sources.

MWMA members discussed the role cities could play in improving air quality including utilizing low sulfur diesel and replacing fleets with ones that could utilize alternative fuels. Williams told the group that diesel emissions were one of the 33 most prevalent urban air toxics and that EPA has issued new regulations regarding fleets utilizing low sulfur diesel. MWMA members agreed to discuss this topic further at a future conference call or meeting.