Air quality council rallies support for emission tests

The Treasure Valley Air Quality Council submitted its final air quality improvement plan to the state Legislature during the 2007 session.

Even though the recommendations have been delivered to lawmakers, the council is continuing to work to ensure they become law.
“The trend in ozone is very disturbing and heading toward non attainment – particularly since the EPA is expected to change the standard in March,” council President Pete O’Neill said. “If that’s the case it looks like we’re headed for a train wreck.”  
O’Neill said council members are expecting the biggest fight over vehicle emissions testing.
“To get certain things done we need some state action, specifically on emission testing and maintenance,” he said. “The Department of Environmental Quality is already working on rule making for the Stage 1 vapor recovery, which was one of our recommendations. Emission testing is the hot button issue – in Canyon County anyway.”
The council will continue to raise awareness and build public support for the idea.
“We’ve got to figure out how to fund and implement the public outreach program to make people aware they are part of the problem and should be part of the solution,” he said.
The council was created through the Treasure Valley and Regional Air Quality Act, which became law during the 2005 legislative session.
Fourteen council members, who were appointed by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, were asked to come up with recommendations to protect and improve air quality while accommodating private, public and commercial interests.
The council made six recommendations to the Legislature. (The full report is available online at www.treasurevalleyair.org ):
• Enhance public education and awareness and establish an air quality recognition and award program
• Establish a vehicle emissions testing program in both Ada and Canyon counties
• Implement stage one vapor recovery at retail gas stations
• Adopt uniform ordinances for local air quality problems  
• Implement regional land use and transportation planning
• Establish a legislative task force