Clean Air Success

PHOENIX, January 1, 1999 — Maricopa County has reached a milestone on the road to cleaner air: chalking up two straight years of acceptable readings for carbon monoxide pollution.

Although carbon monoxide levels rose significantly earlier this week, demonstrating that more work needs to be done — Valley leaders say the event deserves its due recognition. The two- year attainment of clean air standards means the region can now apply for clean-air status from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The Valley is currently rated as a "serious" area for the invisible pollutant.

The Maricopa Association of Governments — which has spent years pushing for air quality reforms in the region — hails the record event as a hard-won victory that wouldn't have been possible without the combined efforts of state and local officials.

"While we certainly can't become complacent in our ongoing fight for cleaner air, this is a tremendous achievement," says Neil Giuliano, mayor of Tempe and chair of the MAG Regional Council. "It is rewarding to know that regional cooperation has made a difference in cleaning up our environment and protecting public health."

Senate Majority Leader Marc Spitzer, who sponsored a bill with several measures aimed at reducing air pollution last year, also credits combined efforts with reducing air pollution.

"This is an example of government that works, and groups in both the public and private sector collaborated to clean our air," says the senator. "We used many innovative techniques that utilized technology to clean the air, minimize the burden on citizens, and achieve dramatic results."

Among the measures adopted in the last legislative session were improvements to the state's vehicle emissions program, clean-burning fireplace requirements and adoption for the year 2000 of a clean winter fuel reformulation. MAG efforts included identifying potential measures for adoption, air quality modeling, cost-effectiveness analysis, preparation of the 1998 Serious Area Carbon Monoxide Plan, and a "Nonroad Emissions Inventory Improvement Study," which evaluated lawn and garden equipment, turf equipment and generators for emission problems.

State Representative Carolyn Allen, who chairs the House Environment Committee, says more lawmakers are recognizing the need for stringent air quality measures. "I'm proud of what we achieved during last year's session," says Allen. "But we need to continue to work with the Maricopa region to ensure that our air quality improves even as we continue to grow."

Carbon monoxide is produced primarily through vehicle exhaust. It can reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen, bringing on respiratory and other health problems. Among the legislature's tasks in the upcoming session will be to iron out differences in the state's vehicle emissions programs. That program has been a key weapon in the fight against air pollution in the MAG Air Quality plans.

"We are pleased that the legislature has stepped up to address our most critical air quality needs," says James Bourey, MAG executive director. "The partnership the region has with the state legislature has been vital for our success in cleaning the air."

MAG also hopes it will be able to share good news this summer for a second major Valley air threat — ozone. If the region can make it through July without any violations for that pollutant, it will mark three years of acceptable levels, allowing air officials to similarly apply to the EPA for attainment in that category.