Mueller Lake Park Outdoor Amphitheater
Can Austin Avoid Stigma of Lying Politicians?
RECEIVED Sat., July 25, 2009
Dear Editor,
In regard to Austin possibly exceeding the new Environmental Protection Agency ozone standard, Lee Nichols writes, “An array of federal sanctions comes down on areas that reach nonattainment, including a loss of highway funds.” ["Can Austin Avoid the Stigma of Dirty Air?,” News, July 24].
This is not true. No city, including notorious offenders like Houston and Los Angeles, has ever lost federal funding for exceeding the EPA limits (nonattainment). I researched this question. Here’s how it works:
If Austin or any other city exceeds the new standard, the city will be given until 2013 to draw up a remediation plan. If the EPA accepts the plan, the city will be given around five years to reduce its ozone below the limit. If that doesn’t work, a new plan is devised and more time is granted to achieve compliance. Only cities that don’t submit a plan to the EPA or don’t implement the plan as approved by the EPA will lose federal funds.
Lee can be forgiven for the error. He was only reporting the lie that is knowingly propagated by politicians like Sam Biscoe and other members of Austin’s CAMPO Board. Just like George Bush’s weapons of mass destruction lie, they wish to manipulate public opinion with the terror of losing federal funds.
Furthermore, Deanna Altenhoff, of the Clean Air Force, has it backwards. She wants people to take the bus on high ozone days. But diesel buses produce more ozone precursors per passenger mile than cars do. Buses also produce more greenhouse gases and deadly particulate matter than cars do. It would be much better to park the buses.
In regard to Austin possibly exceeding the new Environmental Protection Agency ozone standard, Lee Nichols writes, “An array of federal sanctions comes down on areas that reach nonattainment, including a loss of highway funds.” ["Can Austin Avoid the Stigma of Dirty Air?,” News, July 24].
This is not true. No city, including notorious offenders like Houston and Los Angeles, has ever lost federal funding for exceeding the EPA limits (nonattainment). I researched this question. Here’s how it works:
If Austin or any other city exceeds the new standard, the city will be given until 2013 to draw up a remediation plan. If the EPA accepts the plan, the city will be given around five years to reduce its ozone below the limit. If that doesn’t work, a new plan is devised and more time is granted to achieve compliance. Only cities that don’t submit a plan to the EPA or don’t implement the plan as approved by the EPA will lose federal funds.
Lee can be forgiven for the error. He was only reporting the lie that is knowingly propagated by politicians like Sam Biscoe and other members of Austin’s CAMPO Board. Just like George Bush’s weapons of mass destruction lie, they wish to manipulate public opinion with the terror of losing federal funds.
Furthermore, Deanna Altenhoff, of the Clean Air Force, has it backwards. She wants people to take the bus on high ozone days. But diesel buses produce more ozone precursors per passenger mile than cars do. Buses also produce more greenhouse gases and deadly particulate matter than cars do. It would be much better to park the buses.
Vince May
