Friday, May 07, 1999
Air-quality rating to rise
EPA decides Cincinnati meets federal standards
BY PAUL BARTON
Enquirer Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Federal officials have decided to give Greater Cincinnati's air quality a passing grade.
Members of the Cincinnati-area congressional delegation learned Thursday that the En vironmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing to issue a regulation that will change the Tristate's air-quality rating from “moderate nonattainment” to “attainment.”
As a result, the area will be considered in full compliance with federal air-quality standards.
The change is not likely to provide residents any relief from the controversial state automobile emissions control program known as E-check. But area officials say it should prove a boon to Greater Cincinnati's economic development, because some companies are reluctant to move into a region that is not within EPA standards.
The rating change also removes the immediate threat of harsh federal sanctions that the area might have incurred if ozone readings this summer exceeded federal standards.
Once the change to “attainment” is final, Cincinnati will have a cushion between it and the “serious nonattainment” rating that could have resulted in sanctions such as reduced federal highway money or more costly air-pollution control steps for businesses.
Members of the congressional delegation and the Greater Cincinnati Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the news Thursday.
“It's a great victory,” said Sen. George Voinovich, who, along with other area members of Congress, lobbied EPA Administrator Carol Browner to make the change.
Throughout his years as governor, 1991-1998, bringing Ohio cities into compliance was a major issue for Mr. Voinovich.
Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Cincinnati, also said the area should take a bow.
“The business community and the public have worked very hard together,” he said.
The president of the Greater Cincinnati Area Chamber of Commerce, John P. Williams Jr., said, “My reaction is, "Outstanding.'”
The Cincinnati area will be the last of 26 multicounty regions of Ohio to be brought from nonattainment to attainment during the 1990s.
“It would be a tremendous boost for the region, no doubt about that,” said Brian Besanceney, an aide to Rep. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park.
But both Messrs. Voinovich and Williams said they could not imagine the controversial E-check program being lifted now.
“Part of attainment is the credit for emissions testing,” Mr. Voinovich said. “You drop the emissions testing and you lose your attainment.”
Mr. Williams said E-check is not politically popular, “but we feel it is an essential tool.”
The battle over air pollution rat ings became a major concern for cities following passage of the Clean Air Act in 1990.
“If you're nonattainment, there are some companies that won't even look at you,” Mr. Voinovich said.
The regulation could be issued as soon as today, although EPA officials said it would likely take two to three more days before it is published.
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