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P/CLOUDY Temp: 67 °F Wind: NW at 6 mph Monday, August 19, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend July 26, 2002 Breathe a sigh of relief: DEQ says air quality improved By CHRISTIAN BRINGHURST Mail Tribune Rogue Valley residents choking on the acrid smoke from area wildfires may be surprised to learn that local air quality, in general, is actually pretty good — at least from the standpoint of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The DEQ reports that the area’s airshed may soon receive an official Environmental Protection Agency status upgrade from "non-attainment" to "attainment," for fine particulate matter 10 microns or smaller in size. In a meeting of the Air Quality Advisory Committee, Wednesday, DEQ announced the results of a computer study that indicate an EPA upgrade could be due. "We have met national ambient air quality standards for a long enough time that we were recognized by EPA as an area that could apply for attainment status," said local DEQ spokesman John Becker. A change in status could mean a slight easing of development restrictions in the area. "If you have an area that is designated for non-attainment in one way or another," said Becker, "somebody that wants to set up business here takes (that) into consideration." It’s had an effect on attracting and fostering industry in the area, according to Boise- Cascade environmental engineer and air quality committee member Russell Strader. "It’s required this area to have the strictest standards for particulate emission control in the state," he said. "It’s also made it difficult to bring in new industries or expand existing industries." Becker cautions, however, that the upgraded status would not mean a total relaxing of emissions regulations. "I don’t know if I’d say relaxing, but I’d say probably different opportunities for development," he said. Community planners "would still be looking at businesses that are environmentally friendly to the valley." In the course of Wednesday’s meeting, DEQ identified three main concerns for the area. The first dealt with particulate matter projections for northwest Medford’s industrial area — which the department said will be remedied by newly installed emission controls. Federal regulations require DEQ to factor in projections based on permitted emissions levels — not a business’ actual emissions output.The second issue dealt with particulate levels in the White City industrial area — the only area for which the computer model projected non-attainment. On Thursday, White City charcoal producer Royal Oak announced that it will radically reduce emissions in the area by shutting down a major part of its operation. "They’re going to close the furnace down," said DEQ natural resource specialist Byron Peterson. "It’s going to be a reduction of probably over 100 tons in the area," he said. "We’ll have to see how that figures into the modeling." Modeling specialist Pat Hanrahan said the DEQ will closely monitor such changes to see if they have an impact on the overall problem. The third concern dealt with the impact of wood stove burning on Medford’s east side. "We need to look at whether the criteria that the county is using in making these (burning restriction) calls is effective," said Annette Liebe, of DEQ. Bob Palzer, a committee member and retired professor of chemistry, disputed the relevance of DEQ data. "There is no way to validate the model that DEQ used to make the assumption that wood stoves are the major problem in east Medford," said Palzer. Palzer contended that since DEQ does not currently have any monitors in the area, there is no way to check the accuracy of the computer model’s data. "The only way to find out whether the model is true or not is to put a monitor there for extended periods of time," said Palzer. "This seems counter-intuitive to us, as well," conceded Hanrahan. "We have brought this question up with EPA ourselves." "I understand the need for better data," said Liebe. "I also understand the need to get an attainment plan to EPA." Liebe did not know the exact cost of the monitors, but said that similar machines cost around $150,000 each. As for the likelihood of EPA approval once an attainment plan is filed, Becker is optimistic. "We have been in attainment for some time now," he said, "I would predict that they will approve it." Reach reporter Christian Bringhurst at 776-4459, 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 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S