MAYOR BILL WHITE ANNOUNCES NEW PLAN FOR AIR QUALITY CONTROL
November 14, 2005 -- Today Mayor Bill White announced a plan to improve the city's air quality and policy enforcement.
"This is all about improving the quality of our air," said Mayor Bill White. "We take that responsibility seriously, and we're going to do it with the same level of efficiency that gives our citizens the biggest bang for the dollars we spend on it."
The plan addresses the ozone and its precursors, fine and coarse particulates, and other airborne toxins. The plan's major objectives are to: lead by example in reducing emissions and increasing conservation in all city operations, support initiatives to study and address the health effects of air pollution in Houston, enhance the ambient air monitoring network, work for more effective air quality regulations, enforce existing air quality regulations through all available means, and enhance our community assistance program.
Major initiatives will be undertaken in addition to refining the 2000 Emissions Reduction Plan for even greater reductions over the next 5 years. They include offering bonus incentives to city contractors for using clean construction equipment, revitalizing the curbside recycling program, and a review of all city ordinances relating to air pollution to ensure maximum effectiveness.
