AIR QUALITY FACTS
The EPA promised a 30% reduction in car emissions if we used Reformulated Gas.
The EPA promised a 15% reduction in car emissions if we started annual emission testing.
The EPA promised a significant reduction in evaporative emissions if we implemented Vapor recovery systems.
The EPA even threatened us with the loss of our highway funds if we didn't comply.
We spent more than the highway funds we were trying to save and what happened?
NONE OF THIS WORKED!
We are still trying to match the ozone levels that were in effect in 1994, the last year before these EPA mandates. Source-TNRCC Monitoring Operations Division
DID YOU KNOW?
Vehicle inspections do little to reduce pollution. Source-University of Minnesota
A cost/benefit analysis of I/M (inspection & maintenance) programs reveal that it costs $100 for every $1 of health benefit. Source-Fraser Institute
Cars up to seven years old pass the current I/M test more than 99% of the time. Source-Texas Department of Public Safety.
MTBE, the oxygenate in Reformulated Gasoline, is responsible for contaminating tens of thousands of water wells and rendered them unusable. Source-Sixty Minutes
NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions go up with the increase of oxygenates in gasoline. Source-Auto/Oil Air Quality
Improvement Research Program.
"The emissions of oxides of nitrogen from baseline vehicles when using reformulated gasoline shall be no greater than the level of such emissions from such vehicles when using baseline gasoline." Section 219 para. K2A of the Clean Air Act.
If you live in the worst location for air quality in Houston, the air meets the federal standard more than 99.5% of the time. Source-TNRCC Monitoring Division
The fact is we do not have an air quality crisis in Houston. The air is about 70% cleaner than it was 30 years ago. We can certainly do better, but only if the EPA would stop mandating useless, expensive programs. Do you think that lowering the speed limit to 55mph, banning construction work and yard work in the morning, and more clean cars waiting in line to get their car tested on a dynamometer will have any benefit at all? It won't. Don't take my word for it. Educate yourself. Look up the sources cited above.
All you have to lose is your money, your time, and some more of your freedoms.
If this doesn't tick you off, you are dead.
Am I understanding this? That was before any of the EPA-mandated stuff went into effect, right? Do we have any studies that model what the air would have been like without the implementation of those regs?