Local coalition hopes to reduce pollution emissions, cost

The South Central Planning and Development Commission is attempting to make an offer local governments and industry leaders can’t refuse.

In advance of what they say are potentially devastating financial effects from the EPA’s proposed revisions to ozone standards, the commission wants government and private enterprise working together to stay ahead of the changing rules.

Commission CEO Kevin Belanger said the EPA’s proposed changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone from the current pollution limit of 75 parts per billion to 65 or 70 parts per billion could end up costing the area billions of dollars.

Belanger’s request is that the governments of the six parishes it serves – Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, St. James, St. John and St. Charles – and industry evenly split a three-year $180,000 initiative to save much more in the future.

“We’re asking local governments to pony up little money as compared to the impact, and we’re telling the private sector that we understand what you’re up against. Let’s help you help us and let us help you and this will be collectively a good thing,” Belanger said.

Most of the money – $135,000 – would go toward the salary of a full-time employee who is familiar with the EPA’s science and terms. A total of $10,000 will go toward travel and lodging, $10,000 for training, $5,000, for overhead, $10,000 for hardware and supplies and $10,000 for miscellaneous expenses.

Among governments, the plan would split the dollars according to each parish’s percentage of emissions. Lafourche would contribute $6,030 (6.7 percent), Terrebonne $5,130 (5.7 percent), Assumption $2,340 (3.6 percent) St. John $11,520 (12.8 percent), St. James $18,630 (20.7 percent) and St. Charles $45,450 (50.5 percent) to the account over the next three years – adding up to $90,000 total. Industry would contribute the other $90,000 over the next three years.

According to Belanger Terrebonne, Assumption, St. James and St. John have already agreed to the proposal. Belanger presented his plan to the St. Charles Parish Government at a committee meeting last week and the Lafourche Parish Council two weeks ago. Belanger said St. Charles expressed strong interest, as did Lafourche.

“If you look at the whole picture, $6,000 is a drop in the bucket compared to what we spend,” said Lafourche Parish District 7 Councilman L. Phillip Gouaux.

“It’s a small amount to keep industry going,” Lafourche Parish Council Chairman and District 8 representative Jerry LaFont added.

The Lafourche Parish Administration will analyze Belanger’s proposal and put it before the council at a future meeting, according to parish president Charlotte Randolph.

Belanger said he met with industry representatives two weeks ago and expects them to be on board.

After three years, Belanger expects the initiative to subsidize itself through grant writing and have $425,000 in yearly budgeting.

The initiative’s goal will be to keep our area’s air quality within attainment, meaning under, EPA allowed levels, and if it slips into non-attainment, meaning over, minimize the damage to local pocketbooks.

Currently, according to EPA’s ozone standards approved in 2008, the six-parish area has achieved attainment with a past-three-year average of 70.67 parts per billion. However, if the EPA succeeds in changing its National Ambient Air Quality Standard to 65 or 70 parts per billion, the area – as well as the many parishes and counties across America – would not be in compliance and be subject to penalties and added regulations. Belanger says that would cost the bayou region billions in the long run.

“So that means that if you’re going to turn a right turn lane on a federal or state highway, you’re going to have to prove to the feds that you are not impacting the ozone, and that will require a lot of computerized analysis,” Belanger said.

The CEO added that if an oil and gas company can’t produce oil and gas the way it does today, it could find another place to go.

“Major fabrication yards obtain air permits every year, so it will put more restrictions on them which will inurn cost prices to go up,” Belanger said. “You and I at the gas pump will pay more; the gas company is going to pay more. It’s going to be a complete circle of costs.”

In order to reduce emissions, the initiative plans to take part in the EPA’s Advance Program, a flexible protocol which allows participants to set their own goals and develop local responses for reducing and controlling emissions.

Conversion of fleet vehicles to dual fleet usage, vanpooling, carpooling, compressed natural gas fueling stations, spray painting booths and use of containment facilities is sandblasting activities are just some of the plans proposals to reduce emissions.

Belanger says the creation of the coalition would send a message to the EPA that the area is not turning its head to environmental concerns.

“They are going to give you more levity when permitting does occur if we fall in non-attainment,” Belanger said.

The EPA is accepting public comment through March 17 on the proposed revision of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard.

Belanger said he expects the EPA to somewhat concede to criticism and settle at 70 parts per billion, rather than go all the way down to 65, because of the financial ramifications. Other public officials still hold out hope that the number stays at 75.

A final decision is expected in June.

Local coalition