Ozone being monitored in East Texas
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Ozone levels higher than 75 parts per billion have in the past formed a vast cloud stretching from Rusk County's Martin Lake, home to Luminant's 2,250-megawatt power plant, to Gladewater.

An air quality monitor, directly in that smoggy path, is located at East Texas Regional Airport.

Northeast Texas Air Care policy board yesterday saw a 23- hour modeled loop, compiled from data gathered from the air quality monitor, of what environmental experts say occurred on a high-ozone day in June, 2005.

The model presentation came during a policy board meeting and 2008 ozone season kick-off luncheon at City Hall.

Luminant, formerly TXU Power, in February announced a $1 billion voluntary emissionreduction that will cut nitrogen oxide emissions at the Martin Lake plant. Tom Kleckner, company spokesman, said emission reduction technology at the plant should be in place by 2010.

Airport monitor readings measure Gregg County ozone levels daily. Those readings determine if the area is in compliance with federal air quality standards.

The looped video depicted a day when Gregg County registered 88 parts per billion (ppb), exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's current standard of 85 ppb. A proposed standard of 75 ppb is scheduled to take effect in 2010.

Areas that exceed EPA standards can be designated non-attainment and could see federal funding for local transportation projects reduced.

Northeast Texas Air Care officials have asked area oil and gas well operators to apply for state rebates to retrofit their richburn gas compressor engines to further reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality made $4 million available to companies until the May 1 deadline. Those who have not taken advantage of state rebates will have to pay 100 percent of the cost to retrofit their engines by 2010.

Jeff Howell, Kilgore city manager, said he was surprised to learn that no local businesses have applied for grant funds. Among companies that could benefit are Exterran and Valerus Compression Services. Both companies sell and service compressor engines.