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Viewing Category: Clean Air
Valley residents may face air-quality restrictionsPHOENIX -- Valley of the Sun residents would face new restrictions on use of leaf blowers, new laws to pave parking lots and limits on use of off-road vehicles under the terms of air-quality legislation approved Wednesday by House and Senate conferees.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Legislature, Pollution]The panel also agreed to force local governments to pave or "stabilize" dirt roads and shoulders, and to ban virtually all open fires during the summer. And developers would have to have an on-site dust control coordinator.
These restrictions would cover virtually all of Maricopa County as well as portions of Pinal County around Apache Junction.
But the provisions of SB 1552 also would, for the first time ever, force businesses and residents in the rest of Pinal County to buy cleaner burning -- and probably more expensive -- gasoline during the summer.
Posted by Editor at 06:48 AM
Ariz. lawmakers settle on steps to combat Phoenix air pollutionPHOENIX - Legislative negotiators agreed Wednesday on a menu of steps, ranging from tougher restrictions on outdoor burning to requirements to pave roads, to help reduce particulate air pollution in the Phoenix metropolitan area and avoid federal sanctions.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Legislature, Pollution]The agreement by a legislative conference committee adds numerous provisions to versions of a bill previously approved by the House and Senate and is subject to final votes by each chamber.
However, Senate Majority Whip John Huppenthal, R-Chandler, said it's apparent that months of negotiations have produced a compromise that should be easily approved. "This is perhaps the most critical bill of the session," Huppenthal said.
Posted by Editor at 12:26 AM
Legislative effort to clean Phoenix air comes to headPHOENIX - A push by some lawmakers and Gov. Janet Napolitano to take new steps to clean the Phoenix area's dirty air is coming to a head as the multipronged measure is prepared for formal consideration later this week.Initially a sweeping array of anti-pollution steps mostly targeting particulates and ozone, the bill introduced by Republican Sen. Carolyn Allen of Scottsdale was immediately gutted early in the legislative session.
However, following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations by state officials, health advocates, industry representatives and others, numerous provisions would be restored or added under a proposed large amendment that is tentatively scheduled to be considered by a House-Senate conference committee on Thursday.
Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Legislature]
Posted by Editor at 01:30 AM
AG files suit against bar owners for violating new smoking banPHOENIX - Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has filed a lawsuit against the owner of four Phoenix businesses, accusing him of violating the state's new smoking ban.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Judiciary, Law Enforcement]The voter-approved smoking ban went into effect May 1 and requires bars, restaurants and other indoor public places to prohibit smoking.
In a complaint filed Monday, Goddard asked Maricopa County Superior Court to issue an injunction against the businesses until they come into compliance. The businesses are Metro Sportz Bar and Restaurant, Boomerang Bar and Billiards, River City Pockets and the Maverick Saloon.
Posted by Editor at 06:56 AM
Legislation to correct air quality still lingering at CapitolPHOENIX - Legislation to address air pollution problems in the Phoenix metropolitan area is being held up in endless meetings at the state Capitol and it's unclear if there'll be an agreement before lawmakers adjourn this spring.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Pollution]At issue is how to craft a plan to roll back coarse particulate levels to the healthful range and to get that plan done in time to meet a Dec. 31 federal deadline.
Posted by Editor at 12:21 PM
Voters want global warming pollutants cut, state poll saysThe majority of Arizona residents believe man-made global warming is a problem, and that government should be doing more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to results of a recent poll released by a state environmental group.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Polls]The group, known as Environment Arizona, also released a report Thursday showing that Arizona’s output of carbon dioxide, believed to be the leading cause of recent warming trends, increased by 54 percent between 1990 and 2004.
Posted by Editor at 02:09 AM
Bill to clean Phoenix air, avoid sanctions, advancesPHOENIX — The House on Monday approved a bill touted as a way to reduce air pollution in the Phoenix area and avoid triggering federal sanctions that could restrict construction projects and cut federal highway money.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Legislature, Phoenix]However, supporters call the bill (SB1552) a work in progress that needs strengthening before it emerges from the Legislature.
Posted by Editor at 06:15 AM
Valley’s clean-air plans raise dust...The federal agency also has the authority to take over Maricopa County’s air quality permitting process — a move that could effectively grind economic development to a halt.Permalink [Filed under: City County Local Govt, Clean Air, Environment]Despite those possibilities, some of the politicians, lobbyists and bureaucrats responsible for drafting the Valley’s dust cleanup plan for EPA approval say their colleagues aren’t taking the task seriously enough.
County government officials criticized fellow members of the Maricopa Association of Governments last week for opting to exclude three proposed measures that would crack down on dust coming from construction sites — collectively the source of more than half the county’s air quality violations.
Posted by Editor at 07:04 AM
Toxic releases up 15% in stateTens of millions of pounds of toxic chemicals were released into Arizona's air, water and land in 2005, a 15 percent jump from the previous year, according to a federal agency.Permalink [Filed under: Business, Clean Air, Economy, Environment, Mining, Pollution, Water]Toxic releases nationwide went up 3 percent during that time, according to new data from the Environmental Protection Agency. But as mining has grown in Arizona, so has the presence of toxics in the environment.
Mines and metal facilities were responsible for the majority of the 65.2 million pounds of toxics released in Arizona.
Posted by Editor at 01:16 AM
The environmental impact of Arizona's growing painsEnvironmental issues have long had back-burner status at the state Legislature, but proponents are going to try to change that this week.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Legislature, Water]In hosting Environment Day at the state Capitol on Tuesday, 20 conservation groups are hoping to get lawmakers' attention.
Posted by Editor at 06:06 AM
'Green' report: Arizona charges commercial polluters too littleArizona polluters pay far less than the state is entitled to collect under federal law, causing the state to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, a report by an environmental group says.Permalink [Filed under: Business, Clean Air, Economy, Environment, State, Water]The state Department of Environmental Quality charges facilities $14.18 a ton for air pollution emitted each year, about one-third of the minimum $39.48 a ton recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Posted by Editor at 01:24 AM
Talk of Gore White House run precedes ex-VP's expected ASU visit[..]Permalink [Filed under: 2008 Presidential, Clean Air, Elections, Environment, Water]Gore could also soon becoming to Arizona State University to talk about global warming and how to reduce greenhouse emissions. The former vice president is expected to make a stop at ASU in late March or early April.
Posted by Editor at 09:15 PM
Az's greenhouse gases crackdown a tall orderReducing greenhouse gas emissions in southern Arizona will take years and will require changes in the way power companies produce electricity and changes in the vehicles we drive.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment]Adjustments will be needed from the boardrooms of the largest power companies right down to your own garage.
Posted by Editor at 04:26 AM
Western govs take a step in the right directionOur view: Acknowledging greenhouse gases are a reality is a start, but our survival may depend on more drastic action...Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Opinion]Controlling global warming is crucial to the survival of life as we know it. We applaud the small steps that Gov. Janet Napolitano and other Western governors took Monday even though they will not produce significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Posted by Editor at 03:51 AM
Arizona, West tackle greenhouse gasesArizona and four other Western states pledged Monday to work together to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to stave off the consequences of global warming.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Governor, State]The governors pact comes amid warnings from scientists around the planet that the American West could suffer prolonged droughts, increased wildfires, floods and water shortages as a result of climate change.
"This is something that can't wait," Gov. Janet Napolitano said. "There's now an international, national and local consensus that global warming is occurring. We can't continue not to do anything."
Posted by Editor at 06:29 AM
Gov. seeks to expand car testing for smogPHOENIX — Residents of Green Valley, southern Pinal County and all of the Marana area should be forced to have their vehicles tested for emissions to help deal with pollution in Tucson, Gov. Janet Napolitano said Wednesday.
The governor said the current lines defining the areas considered to be at risk of air pollution are purely artificial. Right now those include the central parts of Pima and Maricopa counties.
Posted by Editor at 06:15 AM
Environmentalists oppose Napolitano, McCain nuclear power stancesArizona Gov. Janet Napolitano could find herself crossways with environmental groups over her openness to nuclear power.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Energy, Environment]Napolitano said earlier this week she is open to the idea of more nuclear power generation in the state or region to help deal with increasing energy consumption and concerns about air quality issues.
Posted by Editor at 05:40 AM
Legislators need to OK bill curbing gas-station fumesThe Arizona Daily Star has the story.
There's not much dispute that some of the chemicals in gasoline vapors contribute to air pollution, disease and death. It's the main reason Phoenix several years ago began to require that gas stations install vapor recovery nozzles on gas pumps.
That requirement was one of the steps Phoenix took after numerous air pollution alerts and orders from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Posted by Editor at 06:10 AM
Critics soften clean-air billThe Arizona Republic has the story.
Gov. Janet Napolitano joined with two Republican state senators Wednesday to propose an attack on the Valley's air pollution, but their strategy encountered immediate opposition in the Legislature.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Governor, Legislature]The Democratic governor stood alongside Sens. Carolyn Allen and John Huppenthal in the Capitol courtyard as they announced a plan that would get tough on leaf blowers, ban outdoor burning on high-pollution days and expand areas in Arizona that require vehicle-emissions tests.
Posted by Editor at 06:19 AM
Napolitano, legislators launch push for clean airThe Arizona Republic has the story.
With the Valley having blown one clean-air deadline and staring down another, forces from government to industry are rallying to clear out the gunk.Permalink [Filed under: Clean Air, Environment, Governor]Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano stood alongside Republican Sens. Carolyn Allen and John Huppenthal on Wednesday as they announced plans for a new attack on air pollution in Arizona. Details of their Senate Bill 1552 remain sketchy -- Allen said it may be late April before specifics are known -- but all three said they're serious about taking on man-made pollutants.
Posted by Editor at 12:21 AM
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