News bulletin: Maricopa County just got an “F” on air quality in the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air 2008” report.

Sad fact No. 1: our bad air ranks us as one of the 19 most polluted counties in the USA!  Sad fact No. 2: the bad air affects over a half million residents with respiratory difficulties like asthma, allergies and bronchitis. Sad fact No. 3: Bad Ozone (BO) is part of our failing grade and may be the most damaging to our lungs.

Sometimes Fountain Hills and the Verdes get a disproportionate dose of BO because of prevailing winds. Since it is odorless and usually colorless, we tend to downplay its significance and the media does little to inform us of the risks.

Sad coincidence:  a “Bad Air” bill is now working its way through our state Legislature. House Bill 2017 would undercut “Clean Car” and clean air programs and significantly restrict the Governor’s ability to participate in regional efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions as well as other pollutants. The Clean Car rule has gone through an extensive stakeholder process -- the Climate Change Advisory Group met for over a year, plus there were extensive working group meetings in which anyone could participate -- and was unanimously approved in the Climate Change Advisory Group.

This last minute attempt to stop Clean Car programs is a sorry example of wrongheaded politics by the legislators and the powerful lobbyists (especially car companies) who weigh in against protective measures that would improve our air quality.

What to do:  send an e-note to our House members, John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills ( jkavanagh@azleg.gov) and Michelle Reagan (mreagan@azleg.gov). Ask them to vote no and put the bill in the circle file where it belongs. Let’s hope it is not too late!

 
To submit a letter, click here.