Barrow out of ozone area

Posted by
Mike Buffington
in County Government Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News
Wednesday, May 9. 2012
Comments (20)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has decided to exclude Barrow County from metro Atlanta’s ozone non-attainment area. The EPA made the announcement last week. David Word, an environmental engineer with the county’s consultants, Joe Tanner & Associates, said Tuesday that the because of recent improvements to air quality around metro Atlanta, the federal regulators removed a total of five counties from the metro area’s non-attainment zone. In addition to Barrow, they include Carroll, Hall, Spalding and Walton.

For the full story, see the May 9 issue of the Barrow Journal.
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#1 hmmmm on 05/09/12 at 01:44 PM [Reply]
The EPA is a Federal Agency we can do without. Their policies have caused more harm to the environment than they've helped.
#1.1 Just wondering on 05/10/12 at 07:21 PM [Reply]
In the past I have been told by c-store owners that Fuel cost was inflated approx 10 cents per gallon in Metro Atlanta in the spring/summer months due to EPA making them buy Atlanta grade gas. Since we are now not considered Metro Atlanta Does this mean gas prices will decrease in our county?
#1.1.1 Reality on 05/10/12 at 09:48 PM [Reply]
No, we'll still be on the same blend as the Metro-Atlanta region. There are currently 51 different blends of gasoline for the United States as required by the EPA Policies. The Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama are all under the same "blend" of gasoline.

Until the country get's one blend, gas prices will fluxuate based on the requirements of the manufacturing process and the cost of complying with the restrictions set up by the EPA.
#2 Good News for Barrow County on 05/09/12 at 07:28 PM [Reply]
This is REALLY GOOD news for Barrow County for our Wallets and makes us Business Attractive for now. We may be able to attract some industry, but mainly, I can't afford to pay those FEES for CAR INSPECTIONS Every year like Gwinnett, Fulton, Cobb & DeKalb..and those they added. It makes us Real Estate attractive too in that aspect...
#3 Its Why I Moved on 05/10/12 at 05:26 AM [Reply]
Barrow being exempt from the Clean Air Scam is why I moved out here.
#4 TickedOff on 05/10/12 at 11:10 AM [Reply]
Barrow being exempt from ozone requirements only means more and more posionous, carcinogenic, companies will now flock to Barrow County to further contaminate our air and water. Im not an EPA or government fan, but in this case, it would have helped. Trust me businesses dont come here for the school system, standard of living, and coomunity. Dont believe me ask Caterpillar. Also you can continue to breathe air from these uninspected vehicles that should not be on the road. Look it up Barrow Co has one of the highest cancer rates in the state and US.
#4.1 Anonymous on 05/10/12 at 11:17 AM [Reply]
Instead of the all-too-convenient and evasive "look it up," how about YOU provide YOUR source for the cancer rate? Put up or shut up, blue belle.
#4.2 Funny on 05/10/12 at 11:43 AM [Reply]
Ticked off is complaining about cancer rates in Barrow County when I bet money, he either smokes,dips, or chews.
#4.3 Seriously??? on 05/10/12 at 01:46 PM [Reply]
Your comment is by far one of the dumbest, "I'm an environmental wacko" comments I have ever heard. You're saying that because Barrow County is exempt from the Clean Air Scam is why the county has one of the highest rates of cancer than anywhere else in the nation. Last time I checked, our "air" is "cleaner" here than it is in New York, Chicago, Los Angles, Ontario (CA), Boston, Philadelphia, and Elizabeth (NJ), just to name a few.

Whatever study you proclaim to have, must come from the same group of people that say Obama is the greatest thing to walk the earth.
#5 boo who on 05/10/12 at 12:33 PM [Reply]
he seems mad we wont have to go though this all too costly bullcrap emission scam......
#6 Reality on 05/10/12 at 01:40 PM [Reply]
How about this "Ticked off," since the implementation of the "Clean Air" policies of the EPA, air quality has gone down across the country, and the cost of many goods and services have gone up.

Let's look at something no one wants to admit what part of the problem with the climate in Georgia is....The number of trees. There are more trees in the State of Georgia now than there were in the 1970's (according to US Forestry and Georgia Department of Natural Resources). When you increase the number of trees in an area, you are essentially creating a jungle or rain forest. Look at our climate and compare it to that of Central and South America....we are almost identical. Larger number of trees, increases temperatures, and yes it does affect wind currents. With this in mind, and the policies of the EPA...it's no wonder why weather systems fall apart when they reach the Alabama-Georgia Boarder.
#7 TickedOff on 05/10/12 at 03:13 PM [Reply]
Well, well it seems as though my little comments have caused quite a stir. Thats good because maybe some of you will be more concerned about he air you are breathing instead of trying to insult me. The websites are listed if you google "pollution in Barrow Co" or "cancer rates in Barrow Co." .Also scorecard is a very informative site. But it hasnt been updated since 2003. Barrow County has no air or water monitoring sites. Thats right NONE. 25% of all deaths in 2010 in Barrow Co. were attributed to cancer. We have 4 facilities that produce and emit carcinogens daily. Manville being the dirtiest. They ranked in the 90 percentile in some areas nationally. Dont take my word for it though. Any no I dont smoke, dip, or chew. Know why? It causes cancer. Once again Ill say it for all those who cant read. Im not a government or EPA guy, but its scary whats in Barrow Co. air. But since most of you are probably employees at one of these facilities keep on eating the bowl of crap they are feeding you that the emissions from their plants are safe. Most of you are probably on night shift and have a little time to insult me. But thats ok.
When retirement comes maybe they'll give you a golden oxygen bottle or a free lifetime radiation coupon. BE INFORMED. And reality, because you look up and its raining does that make you a weather man.?
#7.1 Reality on 05/10/12 at 09:37 PM [Reply]
The truth about "Monitoring Sites" of the EPA.

If you check the GPS locations of these sites and check them to their locations, you'll find that some of them are positioned at the end of the runways at major international airports (where jet exhaust blows directly onto the system squeing the data), some are in the middle of the desert (mostly water monitoring systems found here), some are in the middle of solar panel farms, some are in the center of major metropolitan areas in positions that when cross referenced with air charts, they are positioned in sections where almost no current reaches, some are positioned beside exhaust vents to HVAC units, and very few are positioned in areas where accurate data can be obtained.

Yes, there are 6 monitoring sites in Barrow County.

As you can see you Anti-Capitalist Void, I am quite informed and well versed.
#7.1.1 anon on 05/11/12 at 06:49 AM [Reply]
Squeing?
#8 Data Collector on 05/10/12 at 10:12 PM [Reply]
Hey "tickedoff" why don't you go read some of the junk sites you are proclaiming to support your posistion.

Google: Cancer Rates of Barrow County
----slightly above the Georgia average.
----Attributed to high tabaco usage
----No results show environmental attributes

Google: Pollution in Barrow County

------Health
Barrow, GA vs US
Air Quality (100=best) 83 82.8
Water Quality (100=best) 60 55

------Your beloved Left Wing Environmental Nutjob site "www.scorecard.com"
Barrow County Primary Polutants: Carbon Monoxide and PM 2.5 Emmissions Both of which are automotive emmissions.....As for your claim to manufacuturing emmissions (ie Sulfur Dioxide): less than 30%, which is far below the National Average.
#8.1 Data Collector on 05/10/12 at 10:18 PM [Reply]
Basically Tickedoff, even your own "research" contradicts your statements. As you can see, Barrow County rates "cleaner" air than the National Average.
#9 TickedOff on 05/11/12 at 10:07 AM [Reply]
One thing I admire is loyality. Regardless of the fact it can sometimes be blind. Keep believing the air and water in Barrow Co. is clean. Inside information is a powerful thing. Keep on thinking Im a left wing nut, which is further from the truth than you can imagine, by the way. Just sit outside on a hot summer nite, with a nice cloud cover and breathe deep. And Im always eager to learn, where are our monitoring stations located in Barrow Co.?
#9.1 Anonymous on 05/11/12 at 10:10 AM [Reply]
Left wing or not, you're still an ignorant nut.
#10 TickedOff on 05/11/12 at 01:00 PM [Reply]
Nut. Very possible, and you are entitled to your opinion. Ignorant. Far from it. Especially when it comes to air in Barrow Co.
#10.1 Data Collector on 05/11/12 at 03:59 PM [Reply]
You're not even worth listening to in this topic. When your spout websites as supporting your opinion, I went to those sites, and they say the complete opposite of your stance. It's quite obvious you are clueless on this topic and no longer worth talking to about it.
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