HOUSTON, April 11, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Improving air quality while accommodating economic growth continues to be a challenge for cities across the nation. Today, Houston is meeting that challenge through the leadership of its business community, local leaders and citizens. The Greater Houston Partnership's publication, "Clearing the Air on Clean Air," highlights some of the ongoing success stories leading to cleaner air in the Houston region. The publication can be downloaded at www.houston.org.
The Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) region is in compliance with five of the six national ambient air quality standards and has been working steadily to achieve the one-hour ozone standard by the Clean Air Act deadline of 2007. A new, more stringent eight-hour ozone standard takes effect in June 2005, and the eight-county region, along with 466 other counties in the United States, will need to continue to work to meet that standard by 2010. The foundation of all air quality regulations is the protection of public health and welfare. As a consequence of this foundation, attainment of the ozone standard is designed to be set at a level to protect the public's health and welfare. Consequently, failure to meet clean air deadlines impacts the health of the region's residents, the economy and many lifestyle choices.
Great strides have already been made. The Greater Houston Partnership has led the effort through formation of organizations such as the Business Coalition for Clean Air, the Texas Environmental Research Consortium and the Texas Clean Air Working Group. These organizations have worked to develop a consensus on air quality goals and strategies, improve air quality science, and implement effective reduction programs without jeopardizing jobs or economic progress. Business sectors and individual companies have pursued new technologies and programs that make them, and the region, leaders in innovative approaches to cleaning the air.
The Greater Houston Partnership, with its Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development and World Trade divisions, is the primary advocate of Houston's business community and is dedicated to building economic prosperity throughout the region.
The Greater Houston Partnership logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1516