Feb 1, 2007 12:33 am US/Central
North Texans Send Message To Austin: Clean Our Air
by Tiani Jones
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Some say it's DFW's dirty little secret that's needs to be exposed.
North Texas' air quality doesn't meet government standards, and pollutants are continuously given a slap on the hand. Now the state of Texas wants to hear from you.
Wednesday night, citizens had their say on the issue and what needs to be done to clean up. The meeting was the first in a series of public hearings.
Andy Saenz with the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality said, "The commissioners will get a transcript of all the testimony that was here tonight. They will take that into consideration when they look at the final package represented to them, and they will make a final decision in May."
Some called it a moral issue; others said it's a health crisis. "It is a sin. It is a crime. It's a crime against God's creation. It's a crime against the well being of our children, of our seniors and of the whole civic body," said Gary Stuard, Interfaith Environmental Alliance.
The Sierra Club and the Green Party were also out in full force. "DFW has already had two failed air plans, and now we're on the verge of a third," said Rita Beving with the Dallas Sierra Club.
Also present were representatives from those refereed to as North Texas's biggest polluters.
"The Midlothian cement plants have been proactive in reducing emissions and are committed to doing their part to assist the DFW area to improve overall air quality," said Albert Axe, Portland Cement Association.
Tomorrow's hearing will be held at 2 p.m. at Arlington City Hall.
(CBS 11 News)
