For years, San Antonio and its surrounding areas have been bordering on failure to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
A new report on local ozone levels weighs the potential economic costs if counties in the San Antonio area were to exceed these requirements, reaching what is called "nonattainment" status as decided by the Environment Protection Agency.
In Bexar County alone, costs could range from $2.1-21.5 billion – a low estimate under a "marginal" nonattainment designation – or from $5.3-28.4 billion under a "moderate" designation.
Will a new administration on the national level change standards at the Environmental Protection Agency? How is San Antonio addressing air quality concerns to make the city more sustainable?
Guests:
- Diane Rath, executive director of the Alamo Area Council of Governments
- Steve Nivin, author of the nonattainment report and assistant professor of economics at St. Mary’s University
- Doug Melnick, chief sustainability officer for the City of San Antonio
