Document text
CLEAR Temp: 65 °F Wind: NW at 4 mph Tuesday, August 12, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 31, 2003 Air quality regs may ease for industries By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Jackson County commissioners will lend their support to a proposal that eases local air quality regulations, creating room for new industry and allowing existing industries leeway to expand. "This decision is not going to significantly increase pollutants in this valley," said Commissioner Sue Kupillas. "I think the general public would like to blame industry (for air pollution), but that’s just not the case." However, the three commissioners differ on how the proposal — which must first be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency — would apply locally and what steps should be taken to improve air quality on a county level. The board held a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss both the proposal and the issue of air quality. Advertisement Since 1991, the county has met and even exceeded federal air quality standards. The area is now eligible to achieve "attainment" status with the EPA, said John Becker, air quality manger with the state Department of Environmental Quality. If the county does achieve that status — a designation lost in 1978 because of high levels of air pollutants — a local air quality advisory committee for DEQ has proposed eliminating the so- called, "offset requirement" for industry in the county. Currently, a new or expanded factory that produces certain levels of air pollution must make up the difference by purchasing "clean air credits" from other industries. But local industry leaders and DEQ officials say there are few, if any, clean air credits available, making expansion or new industries unlikely. Commissioner Dave Gilmour represents the county board on the 23-member air quality advisory committee. Other members of the committee include representatives from local governments, air quality groups, industries and citizens. The group is expected to vote on the proposal Aug. 25. If approved, DEQ would review the proposal and schedule a series of public hearings. During earlier discussions with the county, Gilmour, a physician, argued that easing pollution restrictions on industry could lead to health risks. Commissioner Jack Walker countered that the county already falls below EPA limits for air pollution, and he said the county should support industry. At Wednesday’s meeting, Gilmour suggested that the county take a more active role to reduce air pollution, and said rejecting the proposal would send a powerful message. Kupillas and Walker argued that most of the Rogue Valley’s air pollution is generated by automobiles. The two also praised local industry for improving air quality. After heated debate, Kupillas and Gilmour eventually agreed that the county should create boundaries around industrial areas that allow factories a slightly higher threshold for pollution. Areas outside the industrial boundaries should be held to an even lower threshold. Both regulations would fall below federal guidelines. But Walker said the county shouldn’t create new boundaries. "How would we enforce anything?" he asked. Becker said it is possible to regulate because air pollution tends to stay in one place rather than drift. But he said creating and administering such a plan would be challenging. Before the meeting ended, commissioners also asked staff members to look into additional ways to reduce pollution from automobiles. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times