We Have a Plan

All right, we'll give the state some credit here. We've violated federal standards for ozone in our air and they have committed to dealing with the problem.

This is a significant step forward and we commend the state for responding so quickly, but what do we do in the near-term?

Even though we've violated ozone standards, the state has not proposed to take any short-term steps to safeguard our health. This, despite the fact that we're in our 12th consecutive day of ozone alerts. And even though they've committed to dealing with the problem, they have yet to call any meetings or start any process for developing a long-term ozone reduction plan.

We continue to be in the midst of a serious ozone health crisis, but all the health department seems to be able to do is tell us to cross our fingers, hope for the best, and keep the kids indoors. If this is the best we can do at the present time, then we have a serious problem.

Sure, to really get to the root of Denver's ozone problem, it's going to take a rigorous planning effort that will involve industry, the public, and health advocates. It may take months, but why not start the process now, when we know things are so bad? Why not get started on the process of developing an effective ozone control strategy, like cutting ozone forming pollution from coal burning power plants?

And in the very short term, why not take some steps to try and keep ozone from getting any worse? Like requiring the oil and gas industry to take extra steps to keep people safe, or requiring coal burning power plants to limit their smog forming emissions. We're violating health standards here. It seems the least that could be done is to keep this violation from getting worse.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is facing a tough situation, we'll give them that. It's a challenge, but it's a challenge we have to meet. And this challenge should not prevent immediate action. This is our health at stake, this isn't arbitrary. If we could keep kids from going to the hospital for asthma attacks, why shouldn't we act to clean up our air as best as possible in the short-term?

From a health standpoint, we have every reason to be critical. We need some action here; for the short and the long-term. A commitment to a plan is a start, but until we see some details, some dates, and some substance, we'll remain concerned.