Note to Enviro-Weenies

Source

Air quality in the United States has improved dramatically in the last three decades as a result of actions taken under the Clean Air Act by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the business community and individuals.

After making a thorough analysis of monitoring data used by EPA to track reductions in ground level ozone concentrations, the Foundation for Clean Air Progress (FCAP) is puzzled by the EPA's inspector general's conclusions about ozone levels in the country. FCAP's analysis of more than 111 million bits of raw data collected from nearly 10,000 monitors across the country shows significant improvement.

The IG's report singles out selective parts of the United States that are still striving to reduce ozone levels, while ignoring significant progress nationwide.

For example, FCAP's analysis based on monitoring data estimated that up to 90 percent of U.S. counties meet the new, tougher ambient air quality standard for ground level ozone. This means up to 50 percent of the U.S. population live in counties that meet standards. (Under the standard, regulators measure ground ozone levels for an eight-hour period).

In contrast, in 1980, as little as 15 percent of the population lived in counties that would have met the eight-hour standard. That means we've seen dramatic improvement.

However, this does not imply that the nation has reached the finish line, either in making improvements or in educating the public about the cleaner air they're breathing. But the weight of scientific evidence supports EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt when he says, "Today's air is the cleanest most Americans have ever breathed."

Duly noted by me anyway...

John Kerry Delenda Est!