West Michigan Congressmen Respond To EPA Ozone Transport Study
Press Release
West Michigan Congressmen Respond To EPA Ozone Transport Study
U.S. Reps. Pete Hoekstra , Fred Upton and Vern Ehlers today responded to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study that determined that West Michigan's ozone levels are dominated by ozone created in major urban upwind areas such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Gary, Ind.
"The EPA study confirms what we have suspected all along, that West Michigan is not the source of its air pollution," Hoekstra said. "Urban areas on the other side of Lake Michigan will continue to reduce their emissions so that we can enjoy cleaner air but not be punished for a problem that we did not cause."
"The verdict is in, and this study proves what we have said for nearly a decade, that our communities are not responsible for high ozone levels," said Upton. "Our economy is ailing, and it would have added insult to injury to punish Michigan's communities and businesses for dirty air blowing across Lake Michigan - I hope the EPA continues to address this problem at the source as our air quality depends on it."
"I am delighted with the results of this study," said Congressman Ehlers. "We have known for a long time that much of our problems with air quality are from pollution that originates in other areas. The EPA must ensure that emissions management in high-polluting areas takes into account transport of emissions to areas like West Michigan."
The three West Michigan congressmen inserted a provision in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that required the study to determine the source of West Michigan's ozone levels. The study found that West Michigan is especially prone to ozone transport because of the combination of the massive body of water of Lake Michigan, weather patterns, and the concentration of urban areas around the lake. It also found the problem is present in other areas in the eastern United States. The report states: "At shoreline locations, the contribution of ozone-forming emissions from sources in Michigan is negligible."
The study found that analyses of emissions controls implemented in the upwind areas show that all of West Michigan will attain or become closer to attaining the 1997 EPA air quality standard by June 2009. The projections include further emissions reductions in the upwind areas and no additional measures in West Michigan.
The EPA will enact a new compliance designation in 2010, which is based upon a more stringent ozone standard established last year.
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