FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - The director of the Alaska’s Air Quality Division says Fairbanks is making progress toward cleaner air but could be classified as a “serious” offender in 2015.
Alice Edwards says Fairbanks can meet federal air pollution standards by 2019 but may not reach a 20 percent reduction in particulate pollution by next year.
High levels of particulate are linked to respiratory problems and heart attacks. Wood stove emissions cause most of the pollution.
Edwards said cleaner-burning wood stoves, expanded bus routes and the hoped-for arrival of natural gas in Fairbanks would alleviate the problem.
The EPA could require emissions offsets for industrial or military expansion if Fairbanks is classified as a serious offender.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (https://bit.ly/1gYPxtw) reports Edwards spoke Tuesday to the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.
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Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, https://www.newsminer.com
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