Small Town News

Valley fined for unfine ozone levels

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Last week's heatwave put San Joaquin Valley over the limit for new federal ozone standards

Last week's triple-digit heatwave will end up costing Central Valley businesses over eight figures - $29,000,000.

Temperatures topped the century mark Aug. 24-26, and vehicle traffic increased with school back in session, causing the Central Valley's ozone levels to soar over federal air quality standards.

On Aug. 12, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District officials urged Valley residents to cut vehicle trips associated with going to work and transporting children to school to spare Valley businesses from fines that will be imposed by the federal government. 2010 is the federal deadline for meeting the 1-hour ozone standard. After the Valley failed to meet that standard Valley businesses will be fined $29 million in penalties each year the Valley experiences more than a single violation for the 1-hour ozone standard.

Up until last week, the Valley had no violation of the 1 -hour ozone standard to date this year. Last year, the Valley only had four violations and all occurred after the start of the school year.

Compared to 1990, when the Valley experienced 50 violations, this reflects a major improvement in air quality.

The District's analysis of recent air quality trends indicates a sharp'increase in ozone readings with the beginning of the school year. It's a familiar scenario: Vehicles backed up on congested streets in front of neighborhood schools, carrying just one child, driven by just one parent. Although often a necessity - and often a time-saving convenience - these trips are responsible for a quantifiable increase in ozone-forming emissions.

There are ways for Valley residents to help keep ozone under control - most significantly, reducing vehicle emissions, which is the largest contributor to the Valley's air pollution. Healthy Air Living is a District public education and outreach initiative aimed at providing individuals and businesses real tools to reduce emissions on a voluntary basis. For additional information, please visit www. healthyairliving. com.

Some Healthy Air Living tips to reduce back-to-school-related vehicle emissions are:

Carpooling or vanpooling (getting to work, or school);

Walking your child to school; and

Not idling your car when dropping off or picking up your child.

Air Pollution Control District officials are also considering a $10 increase in vehicle registration fees, since cars and trucks are responsible for so much of the pollution, according to the Associated Press.



Copyright 2010 The Foothills Sun-Gazette, Exeter, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Foothills Sun-Gazette Exeter, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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