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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jason Klindt
Monday, March 24, 2008 PHONE: 816-792-3976
Graves Asks EPA for Explanation on Clinton County Ruling
Congressman Offers EPA Administrator Personal Tour
(Washington) U.S. Congressman Sam Graves today asked Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson for an explanation as to why Clinton County was included on a list of 345 communities in violation of a new ozone standard. Graves notes that disparity in size between Clinton County and other violators like Los Angeles, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
“While Clinton County is home to many fine cities like Plattsburg, Lathrop and Cameron- they hardly compare in size to the other metropolises on the list,” wrote Graves. “In fact, of the counties around Clinton, only Clay County was included on the list.”
The EPA dropped the ozone threshold for compliance from 80 parts per billion to 75 parts per billion. Graves opposed that move arguing that it hurts smaller counties that are close to larger counties.
“I asked you not to make such a move precisely because it harms counties, like Clinton, that receive industrial pollution rather than generate it,” Graves wrote. “Common sense would suggest that we should be going after pollution at the source, not where it drifts too.”
Graves asked that the EPA provide him and the County with an explanation. In addition he offered to give the EPA Administrator a personal tour of the County.
The full text of the letter is included below.
March 24, 2008
Stephen L. Johnson
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Johnson:
I recently read that Clinton County in my home state of Missouri has been added to a list of 345 violators of a new EPA ozone standard. Other violators included Los Angeles, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. While Clinton County is home to many fine cities like Plattsburg, Lathrop and Cameron- they hardly compare in size to the other metropolises on the list. In fact, of the counties around Clinton, only Clay County was included on the list.
The community has yet to hear from the EPA and I ask that you provide me and Clinton County officials with an explanation as to why they are on the list. Furthermore, I would like you to re-evaluate Clinton County’s status and consider removing them from the list.
This designation is partly because of the decision to lower the threshold of acceptable ozone to 75 parts per billion from 80 parts per billion. I asked you not to make such a move precisely because it harms counties, like Clinton, that receive industrial pollution rather than generate it. Common sense would suggest that we should be going after pollution at the source, not where it drifts too.
I would be happy to give you a personal tour of Clinton County- so that you can see for yourself that there is no pollution being generated.
Thank you for the opportunity to raise this concern of mine and I eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
Sam Graves
Member of Congress
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