The Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area has an average ozone
level of 67 parts per billion (ppb), very close to the recently-tightened 70
ppb limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If the region
exceeds this limit, it will go into “non-attainment”, an extremely punitive EPA
designation that has long-term consequences on a region’s ability to grow and
prosper.
Ground-level ozone is particularly problematic during summer
months. That’s why the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) conducts an
annual consumer information campaign during the summer to help citizens make
choices that can keep Omaha’s air clean.
Included in MAPA’s Little Steps Big Impact campaign is a
recommendation to choose cleaner-burning renewable biofuels such as ethanol and
biodiesel. “Beginning last year, we really started highlighting the benefits of
cleaner-burning biofuels such as American Ethanol as one of the little steps
people can take,” said Greg Youell, MAPA executive director. “In some other
metro areas, we’ve seen a correlation between the increased adoption of
biofuels and a reduction of ground-level ozone levels. So we’re urging people
to take a little step of choosing biofuels at the pump that will yield big
impacts that help all of us have cleaner air to breathe and enjoy every day.”
Other Little Steps Big Impact recommendations include
carpooling, use of public transit and walking or biking to work.
Youell said it’s paramount that the Omaha region avoid
exceeding the EPA air quality standards. “If a region goes into non-attainment,
it is very difficult to get out of it,” Youell added. “Once you’re designated,
it can take up to 20 years to get out even if your air quality improves and you
don’t have any more violations.”
Youell said that going into non-attainment has serious
consequences on a community. “It would have a dramatic effect on industry and
growth in the Omaha metro area. Any industry that has emissions would not be
able to expand – and any new industry coming to town would be prevented from
doing so without going through a permitting process that requires them to
identify how their emissions will be offset,” he said. “Non-attainment really
hinders economic development, and that has a ripple effect through the area in
terms of job growth, tax revenue and economic vitality.”
We are dedicated to being proactive in order to maintain our
clean air quality status and we strongly believe that increasing the use of
biofuels such as American Ethanol is a sensible and simple strategy to help us
do just that,” Youell said.
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