Richland County Council meets July 17, 2007
By Mike Cox MWC423@bellsouth.net
Roll call

Joe McEachern, Joyce Dickerson, Val Hutchinson, Norman Jackson, Damon Jeter, Paul Livingston, Bill Malinowski, Mike Montgomery, Greg Pearce, Bernice Scott, and Kit Smith were present.

Presentations

Myra Reece, the bureau chief for SCDHEC Bureau of Air Quality, gave the council an update on the present status of breathable air in The Midlands. The good news is that air quality in the Columbia area currently attains ozone standards set by the EPA. Weather patterns with significant wind currents and afternoon rainstorms keep the air from getting stagnant and reducing air quality.

The bad news is there is a real possibility the standards will be lowered the next time attainable ozone standards are determined. The current standard is .084. The rumored reduction will be between .070 and .075. If this happens, the level of compliance for South Carolina will go down.

Under present standards, only two counties, Spartanburg and Richland are below the standard. Since the state is averaged out, the state is in compliance. If the new standard becomes .075, seven states will fall below the standard. If the target drops further, the state can lose its attainable rating.

In addition to causing health problems for state residents, a failing grade will cause economic problems. New industry will shy away from moving to a state not considered attainable, and existing businesses considering adding on must meet more stringent standards.

About the time Bil l Malinowski asked one of his well researched questions of Reece, the power in the council chambers died. I don't think there was a connection, but you never know.

The council tried to continue the meeting until power was restored, but the sound system and recording equipment are intertwined so the official record of the night's business couldn't be made.

Each item on the night's agenda was deferred until the special called meeting next Tuesday except for an executive session item featuring the farmer's market. Since the secret executive session room is not lit by emergency power, the council asked those in attendance to vacate the chamber so executive session could be conducted there.

After reconvening the meeting and offering no information on the farmer's market, the meeting was adjourned.