BAKERSFIELD, CA - In 2010, valley residents were forced to start paying an extra $12 to register vehicles. The penalty is a result of the poor air quality. But Thursday morning, valley air officials announced the region has cleaned up its air significantly. Now, local leaders and the district are asking the EPA to lift the penalty.
In 1996, the San Joaquin Valley was out of compliance for ozone regulations 281 hours.
"So, the one-hour ozone rule was the first rule that was adopted that set a certain standard that was met by in any given hour of any given day of a year. If you exceeded a certain amount of pollutants ozone, you were in violation," said Steven Worthley, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District member.
On Thursday, valley air district staff and Kern County officials announced a clean air milestone. The chairman of its governing board revealed the district is the first in the nation with "extreme" classification to meet the one-hour ozone standard. The San Joaquin Valley now boasts, the 2013 season is its cleanest air season on record.
"That's been reduced to seven hours in 2012 and zero hours in 2013," said David Couch, Kern County 4th District supervisor.
In 2010, under federal law, valley residents and businesses were required to pay an annual $12 fee on their vehicle registration. It's part of the $29 million penalty for polluting the air. Now, local leaders say with the one-hour ozone standard met, the EPA should lift the penalty.
"We'd like that to go away because why should you be penalized for reaching attainment?" said Couch.
But, the good news has critics. They point out new standards established in 2005 measure on an eight-hour ozone standard, which the valley still violates. But, officials say it's encouraging that the one-hour standard was met this season, which is also still required by federal law.
"You know, we need to stop every once in a while and smell the roses and acknowledge progress that we've made and then roll up our sleeves and keep right on working. I think that's the message today," said Worthley.
Couch hopes to hear from the EPA on its decision to lift the penalty within the next year.
In 1996, the San Joaquin Valley was out of compliance for ozone regulations 281 hours.
"So, the one-hour ozone rule was the first rule that was adopted that set a certain standard that was met by in any given hour of any given day of a year. If you exceeded a certain amount of pollutants ozone, you were in violation," said Steven Worthley, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District member.
On Thursday, valley air district staff and Kern County officials announced a clean air milestone. The chairman of its governing board revealed the district is the first in the nation with "extreme" classification to meet the one-hour ozone standard. The San Joaquin Valley now boasts, the 2013 season is its cleanest air season on record.
"That's been reduced to seven hours in 2012 and zero hours in 2013," said David Couch, Kern County 4th District supervisor.
In 2010, under federal law, valley residents and businesses were required to pay an annual $12 fee on their vehicle registration. It's part of the $29 million penalty for polluting the air. Now, local leaders say with the one-hour ozone standard met, the EPA should lift the penalty.
"We'd like that to go away because why should you be penalized for reaching attainment?" said Couch.
But, the good news has critics. They point out new standards established in 2005 measure on an eight-hour ozone standard, which the valley still violates. But, officials say it's encouraging that the one-hour standard was met this season, which is also still required by federal law.
"You know, we need to stop every once in a while and smell the roses and acknowledge progress that we've made and then roll up our sleeves and keep right on working. I think that's the message today," said Worthley.
Couch hopes to hear from the EPA on its decision to lift the penalty within the next year.