Air Quality Update

The Knoxville area currently meets national air quality standards, but new regulations call for stricter measures. Local experts say it’s extremely likely the Environmental Protection Agency will declare the region a “non-attainment” area by April 2004. This makes it both harder to recruit new industry and to receive federal transportation funds.

On April 25, local and state leaders took the first step in a new effort to improve air quality as part of an Early Action Compact. More than 200 people attended a Regional Clean Air Action Summit hosted by 11 county executives at the University of Tennessee. TPO planner Kelley Segars was one of the speakers, leading a session on commuter alternatives and incentives for employees.

TPO is working on several strategies to reduce emissions from vehicles, including a program advocating carpooling, biking, and bus riding, traffic flow enhancements, alternative fuel vehicles, and other options.