Switching a coal-powered power plant to natural gas helped the Kansas City area lower sulfur dioxide emissions. | Courtesy of Morguefile
After a 10-year effort to improve air quality, all of Jackson County in Missouri is now in compliance with federal standards for sulfur dioxide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a news release.
“Improving air quality requires a concerted effort by many different environmental, utility, and municipal partners,” EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister said. “We hope we can continue working with our partners in the Kansas City area for more advances in future air quality protection.”
The EPA recently re-designated a portion of Jackson County as attainment for the 2010 1-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), according to the news release.
That means the entire county is now compliant with the standard, the agency said.
"The air quality improvements in Jackson County are primarily the result of SO2 emission reductions from the Vicinity steam plant switching from burning coal to natural gas," EPA said.
The reclassification of the county will help remove regulatory barriers, which will make the area more attractive to businesses, Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Dru Buntin said in a statement.
“Jackson County is dedicated to building a better and more equitable community for everyone," Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. said. "An essential component of our vision is ensuring that everyone, especially our children, are able to breathe clean air no matter what zip code they call home. I appreciate the concerted efforts of our partners to make this matter a priority, as we continue working together to provide a healthy, sustainable and low-carbon community for the well-being of all.”
