- Nearing, Brian. "Take a Deep Breath: Region's Air Quality Improves." Times Union, April 24, 2013. Accessed October 04, 2015. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Take-a-deep-breath-Region-s-air-quality-improves-4458264.php#photo-4518540.
- What two (or more) quotes capture the message of the article?
- From May to September, the Department of Environmental Conservation issues ozone alerts, which advise people to limit strenuous outdoor work or exercise. The state also urges people to use mass transit or carpool instead of driving because automobile emissions also contribute to pollution that causes ozone.
- In New York state, for example, coal now provides about 3 percent of all electricity generated in the state, down from about 15 percent just six years ago. "We are seeing the mothballing and retirement of older coal plants, like Danskammer in the Hudson Valley," said Seilback. "We are starting to see the effects of these closures, and will continue to see them as long as the price disparities between coal and gas exist."
- What is the main point of the article, and how is it supported?
- The main point of the article is that air quality in the capital region has increased greatly both over the long term and in the past decade or so. Obviously since the passage of the clean air act and clean water act in the 1970’s, the environment has been slowly returning to its natural state. But even over the past 10 years or so, the Capital Regions air has seen remarkable gains. The amount of “unsafe ozone days” in 2009-2011 are 75% lower than in 2001 and coal has dropped from providing 15% of the state’s energy to only 3% between 2007 and 2013. Much of this can be attributed to more stringent CAA policies put in place under the Clinton Administration. Some of it can also be contributed to the increased use of natural gas, obtained from fracking wells in Pennsylvania.
- What actors (individuals or organizations) are referred to? (Provide names and short descriptions.)
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation – For the most part, the DEC runs the air monitoring stations in NYS. They, like the EPA, can set air quality standards and institute programs to protect the environment.
- American Lung Association – For the past 14 years, the ALA has released an annual air quality report for the region that compiles air quality data. Much of the report relies on data from air monitoring stations in the Capital Region that are ran by the DEC.
- What kind of causation or responsibility is argued or implied in the article?
- The decrease in coal used by power plants and more stringent air quality standards have resulted in cleaner air in the capital region.
- How (if at all) are health disparities or other equity issues addressed in the article or report?
- None really in this article.
- What three points, details or references from the article did you follow up on to advance your understanding of the issued and actors described in the article?
- I decided I would check out the ALA air quality report for this region. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful in finding the actual report, but I did find a neat tool on their website that allows you to compare air quality between cities. For each city/region, they give a letter grade, along with an actual measurement, for high ozone days, particle pollution, and groups that are at risk to potential “bad air days” such as asthma, being over 65 years old, or cardiovascular disease.
- This article also made me think about seeing if there have been any recent changes in national CAA policy.
Loading...