Nationwide Denver Ozone Coverage and News from NE Denver

In the wake of last week's suffocating ozone levels, there's been nationwide coverage on the issue of ozone pollution.

Associated Press reporter Chase Squires just did a story on Denver's ozone pollution that was picked up by news sources across the country. Here's one that was picked up by the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

The Rocky Mountain News also had a story today about how ozone levels have gone down last week. True, ozone levels are lower than last week now. The headline, "Ozone Levels Reduced," is a little disconcerting, though. While monitors aren't reporting ozone levels as high as last week, it's likely due to weather patterns, not actual reductions in ozone forming pollutants.

The Denver Post also had an editorial today regarding ozone pollution. The editorial called on those in the Denver area to do what they can to reduce ozone pollution. I think the Denver Post continues to miss the point here. Everyday people are doing a ton to address ozone pollution, including holding off on mowing the lawn and driving.

The Post needs to start pointing caution where it matters. We're all in this together, we all need to do our part to reduce ozone pollution. The oil and gas industry, however, is one sector that's not doing its part. The oil and gas industry needs to commit to reducing ozone, or else we're all going to suffer..

And now some great news from NE Denver. According to the Denver Post, the Asarco metal smelter in NE Denver is finally closing. Asarco, which is a notorious and complacent polluter not just in Denver, but in El Paso, Texas and other places, has poisoned peoples' homes, yards, and children. According to the Post, Asarco owes over $1 billion in in cleanup costs related to its operations throughout the country. It's about time this toxic polluter was shut down.