R94-21 04-25-94RESOLUTION NO. R94-21
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE U.S EPA RESCIND OR DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF
ITS TRANSPORTATION CONFORi~ITY RULES FOR NITROGEN OXIDES.
WHEREAS, the Houston-Galveston metropolitan area is classified by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a severe nonattainment area for the
pollutant ozone; and,
WHEREAS, the EPA approved new rules on November 24, 1993 to require that
reductions in nitrogen oxide (N0x) levels be included in the evaluation of
transportation plans and programs; and,
WHEREAS, studies being conducted by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission (TNRCC) to evaluate whether NOx reductions are necessary to meet
ozone standards are yet not complete; and,
WHEREAS, preliminary analysis by the TNRCC indicates that reducing NOx
emissions may not contribute to reducing ozone and could be
counterproductive; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. EPA's transportation conformity rule requiring that
Transportation Improvement Programs and Plans demonstrate NOx reductions may
jeopardize this region's ability to implement critically needed highway and
transit projects; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. EPA's transportation conformity rules permit granting a
waiver of its requirement to evaluate nitrogen oxides when the EPA
Administrator determines that additional nitrogen oxide reductions are not
necessary to attain the federal ozone standard.
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITYOF PE/LR~, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the City of Pearland urges the U.S. EPA to rescind or
postpone implementation of the Build/No-Build Transportation Conformity Test
for nitrogen oxides established in its rules published on november 24, 1993.
Section 2. That the City of Pearland supports the Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission in its pursuit of a nitrogen oxide waiver.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED THIS THE c~[ day of , A.D., 1994.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
DICK GREG
CITY ATTORNEY