This week your San Antonio Chamber of Commerce submitted public comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of the Administrator's proposed decision to retain the current primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone, without revision. The Chamber strongly believes retaining the current primary and secondary NAAQS for ground-level ozone will allow Bexar County to maintain a business-friendly environment and continue with local innovative approaches to reducing emissions.
San Antonio was the last major city in Texas to be designated a nonattainment area for ozone, despite our proven history of lowering emissions. From 2004 – 2019, Bexar County has seen a 20 percent reduction in its ozone design value, despite adding nearly one million people to the region over the last 25 years. This decline in ozone design level can be attributed to the voluntary innovative approaches the public and private sector have taken to reduce emissions. Even with the tremendous economic growth and population boom our region is experiencing, Bexar County is still on track to get back into NAAQS compliance by the end of the 2020 ozone season.
Bexar County is also in a unique position because of the amount of ozone from foreign sources. According to photochemical modeling conducted by the Alamo Area Council of Governments, 80% of the contribution at regulatory monitors comes from outside of Bexar County. Even with 80% of the contribution of ozone at regulatory monitors coming from outside of Bexar County, we have demonstrated a downward trend in emissions.
If the EPA lowers the current primary and secondary NAAQS for ground-level ozone, the cost of doing business in Bexar County would likely increase, hurting your bottom line and hindering our ability to attract new business investment.
If you have any questions about the Chamber’s public comments please contact Stephanie Reyes, Vice President of Public Policy, by email at sreyes@sachamber.org or by phone 210-229-2162.
