THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 14, 1995 TAG: 9507140001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
This is for real, folks.
If Hampton Roads smog levels are too high for an hour anytime all summer, the area faces substantial federal penalties, including mandatory tailpipe tests on most vehicles and expensive restrictions on what business and industry can legally emit into the sky.
``The implications are enormous for the well-being of the whole region, both from an economic and environmental standpoint,'' said Dwight Farmer, director of transportation for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
The commission estimates the region could lose $130 million a year, about $240 per family, if the penalties are imposed.
On the other hand, if Hampton Roads can get through the summer with no high smog readings, officials can petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to remove this area from a national list of polluted cities. To escape that list, a city must average no more than one violation a year for three consecutive years. Hampton Roads had three violations two years ago but none last year. A second consecutive perfect year and Hampton Roads should be off the hook - barely.
At the suggestion of the Planning District Commission, this area has begun what are called ``ozone alerts.''
As staff writer Scott Harper recently explained, the alerts will be announced in all the media when the weather is ripe for the formation of ground ozone, or smog, which seems to accelerate when skies are sunny, clear and nearly windless.
When an ozone alert is announced, it is in everyone's interest to take these steps:
1. Postpone refueling vehicles and equipment until after 5 p.m.
2. Postpone using gas-powered lawn equipment until after 5 p.m.
3. Postpone discretionary trips.
4. Ride-share or use public transportation.
5. Limit idling of vehicles and equipment.
That's very little to ask of everyone to avoid federal penalties and also to make the air better to breathe.
You can argue that limiting smog violations to one a year is absurdly stringent, but whether or not it is, the limit exists and exceeding it could be expensive and bothersome.
Some tasks can be accomplished only when all join in the effort. Keeping the air clean is one of them. by CNB