What’s New
Ohio has some of the worst air pollution of any state in the country, but the state legislature just passed a bill that rolls back air quality standards. Ohio PIRG, along with the American Lung Association and other public health officials are calling on Governor Taft to protect Ohioan’s health and the environment by vetoing this industry-crafted bill.

How You Can Help
Please take a minute to call Governor Taft and ask him to veto Senate Bill 265, which rolls back Ohio’s air quality standards for tens of thousands of polluters.

Brief Summary
Polluters are pushing their anti-clean air wish-list in the state legislature that could lead to more pollution in communities where the air is already unsafe to breathe. In the senate, SB265 and in the House HB496, are being backed by polluters and their allies at the statehouse.

We know that we need strong standards to clean up Ohio’s air pollution problem, but industry representatives from the Chemistry Council and the Ohio Manufacturers Association have teamed up with some of your elected officials to push for weakening standards that currently benefit all Ohioans.

With the Bush administration continuing its push to roll back our air standards at the federal level it’s even more important that we keep our state standards in place.

Our elected officials are hearing a lot from the industry lobbyists who represent the polluters. In order to win, we need them to hear from you!

Links
Editorial in The Plain Dealer, Blow away bad-air bill' 4/8/06
American Lung Association, Health Professionals & Regional Pollution Control Officials Urge Lawmakers To Vote NO On Industry-Crafted Air Quality Rollback 3/27/06
Editorial in the Morning Journal, Stop lawmakers from weakening air quality controls in ailing Ohio 3/19/06
Nation’s Former Top Cop For Clean Air Calls Ohio Bill “Worst Rollback” He’s Ever Seen 3/20/06
Plagued by Pollution: Unsafe Levels of Soot Pollution in 2004 1/19/06
New Report Ranks Columbus #3 Statewide, #17 Nationwide For Soot Pollution 1/19/06