The Shreveport area’s ozone level is in compliance with federal air quality standards today, but that could change in October when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to come out with stricter compliance rules as part of the Clean Air Act.
A senior scientist with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality visited Shreveport Wednesday to present an overview of air quality in a four-parish area, including Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto and Webster parishes.
Vivian Aucoin says proactive steps by city leaders dating back to the late 1990s are benefiting the air we breathe today. The current ozone limit is 75 parts per billion, and Shreveport hovers at 68 ppb. Aucoin say it’s an improving trend.
“The area is actually doing really well. We keep watching the numbers go down, and we don’t know what else is out there to cure?” Aucoin said, following her PowerPoint presentation at the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. “That’s why we’re asking: please come to the table. Please tell us about your fleets. You have your local government fleets -- the cars they drive around in.”
All corners of Louisiana have air monitoring devices. The state will have one year to figure out how to comply when new rules take effect. Shreveport’s environmental services manager, Wes Wyche, says the city has a history of being proactive about its air quality, like converting the city bus fleet to compressed natural gas. But still, it’s just good enough because the region is on the borderline of nonnattainment.
“We are in the same boat as most places around the country. We’re trying to deal with the new standard. It’s going to make it more challenging for us to remain in attainment with the ozone standard,” Wyche said.
The city of Shreveport organized an ozone action network to share information with local employers, government agencies, and residents about air quality developments.
If the area would fall into nonattainment, according to Wyche, it would force tighter controls on industry and create economic development hurdles.
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