DFW to Hold Only Public Hearing on the New EPA Ozone Standard

Downwinders at Risk, a Dallas, TX environmental activist group, is telling citizens "Don't Hold Your Breath" and speak up now for clean air.

At a March 16th public hearing, the metroplex will have their only chance to tell the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) what they think of the new ozone standard being proposed.

The hearing will take place 3-7 p.m. at Arlington City Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram in Arlington, TX and will begin with opening remarks by town Mayor Robert Cluck. The presentation on the DFW ozone problem will be conducted by EPA Region 6 Administrator Dr. Al Armendariz and public comments will be allowed from 3:30-7 p.m.

To reserve a time to speak at the event, email Stephanie at dfwozonehearing@gmail.com and request a slot which are up to five minutes long.

You can also just show up and wait for an open speaker slot or if you're shy or can't wait for a slot give your verbal comments by videotape.

"According to our governor and his state environmental agency, ozone pollution in DFW doesn't cause any health problems and the EPA's proposed new standard for it will force us to close our drive-thru restaurants because local industry has done all it can to reduce their emissions," states a press release from Downwinders. "Perhaps you disagree. Now there's one more chance to come out in full-throated support for a tougher new national ozone standard."

Downwinders, the League of Women Voters of Dallas, North Central Texas Communities Alliance, Public Citizen/Texas, and the Texas Campaign for the Environment are all coming together as the North Texas Clean Air Task Force and initiated the hearing on the proposed new EPA ozone standard.

"We're hiring a professional stenographer to produce a transcript that we can submit to the EPA during the official comment period, which ends March 22," the release revealed. "If EPA adopts a new, lower ozone standard, it means finally getting the best controls on power plants, cement kilns, and gas drilling facilities."

For more information, see downwindersatrisk.org or call 972-230-3185.

In unrelated environmental news, the American Lung Association is having a Virtual Lobby Day March 17 to urge lawmakers to pass The Clean Air Act Amendments of 2010 (S2995), bipartisan legislation they say will dramatically reduce air pollution across the country.

Talking points and call-in information will be emailed around the morning of St. Patrick's Day, the American Lung Association's Advocacy Day.

For details, email webmaster@lungusa.org or call 202-785-3355.