Things Could be Worse, Much Worse

According to a recent news story, the cost of meeting federal health standards for ozone in the San Joaquin Valley of southern California will be 7.5 billion dollars. This will be spent by the state of California and industry just to bring air pollution down below unhealthy levels.

The San Joaquin Valley is a perfect example of the significant economic burden of not getting ahead of air pollution problems and keeping air clean. Severe smog problems now plague the San Joaquin Valley and now carry a hefty clean up price tag.

Right now, the state of Colorado is proposing to require industry to spend only $6 million to help keep ozone, or smog, below unhealthy levels in Denver. This is truly a small price to pay considering the enormous costs of dealing with more serious smog problems.