EPA favors county ozone-list revision
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended approving Arkansas' request to have Crittenden County redesignated as attaining the 2008 standard for ground-level ozone.
In December, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality asked the federal government to consider the county as in attainment after three consecutive years of meeting the 2008 standard of 75 parts or fewer of ozone per billion parts of air. The state also submitted a plan for staying in compliance for the next 10 years.
The EPA proposal will be open for comment for 30 days after it's published in the Federal Register.
Crittenden County, along with Shelby County, Tenn., and part of DeSoto County, Miss., are listed as being in nonattainment for emissions -- including vehicle emissions in the area heavily traveled by trucks, which contribute to ground-level ozone.
Ground-level ozone forms when car exhaust and industrial emissions react to high temperatures and sunlight. Such ozone is considered a public-health issue. Ozone that occurs at a higher atmospheric level, commonly called the ozone layer, is considered protective of the Earth's atmosphere.
Areas that fail to achieve attainment are evaluated by the state to determine how to meet ozone goals. Solutions often involve controls on emissions sources and more intensive permitting for businesses.
The EPA has made a new proposal to reduce ground-level ozone standards to 70 parts of ozone per billion parts of air in 2017. Arkansas officials expect the entire state to be able to comply with those proposed standards as emissions go down across the state.
8 get electronics recycling grants
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality has awarded $117,000 in electronic waste grants for eight entities for 2016, according to a news release.
Electronic waste grants assist in the "proper recycling or disposal of electronic wastes in Arkansas," according to the department. Electronic waste is a term used for any appliance or electronic device that has become outdated or obsolete.
This year's recipients were all nonprofit organizations or sectors of local government, although more industries, such as private companies and colleges, are eligible to apply.
Goodwill of Arkansas received the most grant money -- $25,000 -- and was joined by Benton County Environmental Services, Baxter County Day Service Center, U.S. Green Building Council's Arkansas Chapter, Free Geek Arkansas in Fayetteville, White River Regional Solid Waste Management District, Abilities Unlimited in Jonesboro and the Marion County Solid Waste Transfer Station and Recycling Center in receiving grants.
Metro on 01/31/2016