Clean air proposal expected to pass

By J.J. Stambaugh · Knoxville News Sentinel

In this mention

Knox County Commission is expected to approve an air quality non-attainment action plan on Monday in response to EPA mandates. The plan includes measures such as prohibiting open burning on high-pollution days, purchasing hybrid vehicles, implementing traffic signal synchronization, and supporting truck stop electrification and vehicle inspection programs.

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March 21, 2004

Clean air proposal expected to pass

PLAN HIGHLIGHTS

Work with Anderson, Blount, Jefferson, Loudon, Sevier and Union counties to reduce air pollution levels.
Prohibit open burning on air-quality action days.
Support truck stop electrification.
Replace some of county fleet with hybrid vehicles.
Use traffic signal synchronization to reduce emissions on arterial corridors.
Participate in the Smart Trips program or develop an alternative trip reduction program.
Support statewide vehicle inspection program, vapor controls at gas stations, anti-idling legislation and reduction of speed limit to 55 mph for commercial trucks on interstates.

Source: County Com"MSion

Plan details actions region should take to reduce pollution

BY 1Y JJ. STAMBAUGH
stambaugt-@l(neWS.com

A bid to improve the region's air quality in the face of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandate will be voted on by the Knox County Commission on Monday.

Commissioners will be asked to approve an air quality non-attainment plan of action and then submit it to the EPA and the Thn nessee Department of Environment and Conservation, according to Mike Arms, chief of staff for Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale.

"We'll approve it Monday unless something drastic happens," Arms said. "It's passed both the Finance and Government committees."

The action plan will require Knox County to prohibit open burning on heavily polluted days, commit to buying hybrid vehicles in the future and use traffic signal synchronization to reduce auto emissions.

The plan also calls for Knox County "to encourage its legislative delegation" to support several initiatives, including a statewide vehicle-inspection program, vapor controls at gas stations, anti-idling legislation and a reduction of the speed limit to 55 mph for commercial trucks on interstates.