Agenda - 04-20-2004-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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l~ Asthmatics and other individuals with respiratory disease are especially at risk from elevated ozone concentrations. Asthmatics aze more severely affected by the reduced lung function and irritation that ozone causes in the respiratory system. Ozone may also contribute to the development of asthma. All children are at risk from ozone exposure because they often spend a large part of the summer playing outdoors, their lungs are still developing, they breathe more air per pound of body weight, and they are less likely to notice symptoms. Children and adults who frequently exercise outdoors are particularly vulnerable to ozone's negative health effects, because they may be repeatedly exposed to elevated ozone concentrations while breathing at an increased respiratory rate. Numerous studies have found correlation between elevated ground-level ozone concentrations and increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for respiratory symptoms. These health effects aze associated with increased monetary and societal costs: Ozone's adverse health effects also result in missed school days and lost productivity, as parents take time from work to care for children with respiratory problems. Nonattainment Designation and Regulatory Schedule When an area in North Cazolina is designated nonattainment, the NCDAQ must submit a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to the EPA, describing how pollution will be reduced to levels meeting the standazd. The SIP must include specific control measures for pollutant sources, and DAQ must demonstrate, through computer modeling results, the reductions expected from each control measure. The SIP is usually due to EPA three yeazs after the date of nonattainment designation. For 8-hoiu ozone nonattainment, EPA requires that three regulatory measures be implemented in addition to those control measures included in the SIP: transportation conformity, general conformity, and new source review. Under transportation confomvty, transportation planning agencies must demonstrate that planned road infrastructure expansion (new roads, road widening, etc.) will not result in vehicle NOx emissions over the level allowed by the SIP. If this cannot be shown, the area loses federal highway construction funds. The general purpose of transportation conformity is to ensure that federal funds do not contribute to degraded air quality in a nonattainment area. Under general conformity, other emission sources using federal funds or requiring a federal action such as approval of a permit, e.g. airports, must demonstrate that modifications will not result in emissions exceeding the SIP budget. Under new source review, any new emitting industry wishing to locate within the nonaitainment area, or any existing industry wishing to expand its operation, faces stringent permit requirements. Because new point sources and major expansion projects at existing sources cannot increase emissions in the nonattainment area, new or expanding industry will need to purchase emissions credits from other industry in the area. The practical implication. of this meas~ue is that many industries will not locate within a nonattainment azea because the new source review requirements increase the cost of doing business when compazed to an attainment area.