HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 97-290 RESOLUTION NO.
WHEREAS, the Hardin, Jefferson and Orange County area was reclassified from
a serious to moderate ozone non-attainment area by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency in early 1996; and,
WHEREAS, the Hardin, Jefferson and Orange County area's ozone attainment date
was November 15, 1996 and, as a result of the reclassification and the fact that there were
no ozone exceedances during 1996, we were given a one (1) year extension to meet the
National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone; and,
WHEREAS, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission ozone monitors
have recorded three (3) ozone exceedances in the Hardin, Jefferson and Orange County
area during 1997; and,
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has notified the
Hardin, Jefferson and Orange County area of the possibility of being "bumped up" to a
serious non-attainment area for ozone as early as February, 1998; and,
WHEREAS, it is the position of the South East Texas Regional Planning
Commission Air Quality Advisory Committee that ozone exceedances in the Hardin,
Jefferson and Orange County area are the result of ozone precursors transported into our
area; and,
WHEREAS, the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission Air Quality
Advisory Committee has submitted a request to the United States Environmental
Protection Agency regarding a proposal for Demonstration of Overwhelming Transport of
ozone from areas outside our immediate domain; and,
WHEREAS, if the United States Environmental Protection Agency does not accept
this request for demonstration of transport, and if reclassification occurs, significant
reductions may have to be made, with little expectation that they will result in full
attainment; and,
WHEREAS, if the area does not attain the ozone standard by November 15, 1999,
it could be bumped up to a severe non-attainment classification which will undoubtedly
bring additional control measures that could stifle the local economy and potentially affect
job growth and expansion of both large and small business and industry in the area;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the City of Beaumont requests the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission (TNRCC) to provide the necessary agency staff and resources to prepare the
air dispersion and other technical data measuring to complete the ozone transport
demonstration for the Hardin, Jefferson and Orange County area in a timely manner in
order to forestall the reclassification of the area by the Environmental Protection Agency.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the day
of G Z��' , 1997.
C_ Ole
- Mayor -