News Releases for February 2004
February 24, 2004
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Hoeven, Leavitt Sign EPA Agreement On Air Quality Measurement
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today signed a memorandum of agreement with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael O. Leavitt in Washington, D.C. The signing formalizes an agreement announced two weeks ago enabling the state to incorporate actual monitoring data into its modeling of air quality in Class I areas.
“Between 1999 and 2002, we reduced our sulfur dioxide emissions by 40,000 tons,” Hoeven said. “We believe improvements in air quality, a stronger, more accurate system of modeling and a reliable regulatory environment for investors will clear the way for more high-paying energy jobs in rural North Dakota.”
Through the MOU, the State of North Dakota will conduct “draft alternative modeling” based on points of agreement outlined in the document. The MOU includes two critical provisions for North Dakota, according to North Dakota Department of Health officials:
- The MOU allows the state to use advanced meteorology in its modeling; formerly, the state had to rely on only five years of National Weather Service meteorological data.
- The MOU acknowledges that actual air quality monitoring data is a significant indicator of air quality in Class I areas and plays a key role in evaluating modeling results.
Over the past three years, Hoeven has met with former EPA Administrator Christy Whitman and other senior EPA officials to help forge the agreement. Working closely with the Governor, the North Dakota Department of Health has held public hearings and conducted detailed analyses of modeling techniques.
“We now have a process that should lead us to accurate modeling results that we can have confidence in,” Hoeven said. “That means greater assurance that our environment is clean, and greater predictability for the energy industry in planning for the future. It’s a win-win agreement.”
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