Austin - Community Impact Newspaper

More documents

Recommendations

Info

26 | July 2009 Community Impact Newspaper • Northwest Austin Edition NORTHWEST AUSTIN • CENTRAL AUSTIN • CEDAR PARK • ROUND ROCK • WESTLAKE • MARBLE FALLS ©2009 St. David’s HealthCare. All rights reserved. 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd Round Rock, TX 78665 it’s for her A dedicated facility with an unwavering focus—the comprehensive care of mothers and their newborn infants. A place where great minds come together to share information, contribute their expertise, and utilize state-of-the-art technology to provide for their patients, large and small. A place where the health, comfort, and treatment of women inform everything we do. The St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas, located on the campus of the North Austin Medical Center. It’s here. And it’s for her. St. David’s North Austin Medical Center • 12221 N. Mopac Expy. Austin, TX 78758 • (512) 901-1050 • www.womenscenteroftexas.com Burnett Rd. Hwy. 2222 E. Koenig Ln. N. Lamar Blvd. Airport Blvd. Hwy. 183 W. Anderson Ln. Mall Hwy. 35
Nonattainment CONTINUED FROM |1 Environmental Quality would develop a plan for the region to regain compliance. The plan, inspired by the principle, “First do no harm,” would guide major decisions on transportation and business. All transportation projects would have to conform with the plan, with the penalty of failure being the withholding of federal transportation funds. Additionally, general conformity guidelines can place restrictions on business operations, local companies wishing to expand and businesses wanting to relocate to Austin. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said once a county is classified nonattainment, it will undergo changes with lasting implications. “You are going to begin to lose federal funds, for a lot of purposes, including new highway construction. You’re going to begin to require new rules and regulations,” he said. “For example, automobile emissions testing is going to be a requirement.” Leffingwell also said the federal government will impose new rules that have the purpose of, at some point, directing counties back toward attainment status. Regulations would apply for 20 years after Austin returns to compliance. Nonattainment status could also adversely affect people’s perception of Austin as an environmentally friendly place to live and visit. “If you’re designated nonattainment, it singles you out as a dirty air area, even though we’re not dirty compared to Houston or Dallas,” Gill said. On high-ozone days, about 60 to 80 percent of Austin’s ozone is carried here by wind from places like Houston and East Texas, he said. Locally generated ozone “Once you’re designated nonattainment, it takes a long time to get rid of that designation. There are going to be all kinds of new rules imposed by the federal government that have the purpose of, at some point, directing you back toward attainment status.” Mayor Lee Leffingwell, City of Austin comes from many sources, including homes, businesses, construction and cars. Based on preliminary research, Gov. Rick Perry recommended to the Environmental Protection Agency that Travis County be designated nonattainment. After six months of monitoring the area’s air quality, the EPA will announce its initial decision in November. The public will have 30 days to comment, starting Nov. 12. EPA will make its final decision March 12, 2010. Ozone Ozone is formed naturally high in the stratosphere when the sun’s ultraviolet rays interact with oxygen molecules. Groundlevel ozone, which is harmful to humans’ health, is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) combine in the presence of sunlight. Car exhaust, industrial emissions, gasoline vapors and chemical solvents are manmade sources of NOx and VOC. Due to the summer sun, ozone is typically most prevalent from April through October. Capital Area ozone — a high concentration of ground-level ozone, caused by humans — is a health hazard. It is different from naturally occurring ozone, which is high in the stratosphere. The prevailing downturn in the economy may help Austin achieve compliance. Fewer cars on the road, less buildings under construction and reduced commercial activity have cut major sources of air pollution. “The recession may help this season, which is sad to say,” Stephens said. Comment at more.impactnews.com/4284 impactnews.com July 2009 | 27 Early enrollment pricing ends soon! Prime Exhibitor Spaces and Sponsorships still available Building Financially Literate Communities Helping you earn, save, invest and spend more wisely. Hosted by: ® Clean air TIPS In the CAR • Share a ride to work or school • Avoid rush-hour traffic and driving on hot days • Take your lunch to work or school • Use public transit, walk or ride a bicycle • Combine errands into one trip • Avoid drive-thru lanes • Postpone refueling until after 6 p.m. • Do not top off your tank while refueling • Keep vehicles tuned and tires properly inflated • Do not ignore “check engine” lights • Avoid revving or idling engine more than 30 seconds In the yARD Keeping watch on the OZONE MONITORING During ozone season, April 1 to Oct. 31, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality operates two ozone regulatory monitors located in Austin, one of which is at Murchison Middle School, at 3724 N. Hills Drive. These monitors collect data on ground-level ozone concentrations; ozone precursor concentrations such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and meteorological data. For more information, visit www.tceq. state.tx.us/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/ site_photo.pl?cams=3. Source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality • Avoid spilling gasoline • Maintain equipment • Consider cleaner options, like newer or electric equipment • Wait until after 6 p.m. to do yard work with gas equipment • Use manual tools • Reduce mowing time by planting lowmaintenance grasses • Recycle old equipment CAMS 690 Lake Georgetown N CAMS 38 Audubon Hays Travis Williamson CAMS 614 Dripping Springs CAMS 675 San Marcos Austin-Round Rock MSA TCEQ Regulatory Monitors CAPCOG Monitors In the HOUSE • Use compact fluorescent lights • Turn off lights and appliances when not in use • Use microwaves for smaller meals • Recycle • Plant trees for shade to reduce dependence on air conditioning • Reuse materials such as paper bags and boxes • Properly dispose of household hazardous waste • Paint with brushes, not sprayers • Check air-conditioning filters monthly On the WEB Learn about Energy Star products, certified for energy efficiency, www.energystar.gov Find out how “green” your car is with the Vehicle Emissions Guide, www.epa.gov/ autoemissions Find information on disposing of toxic solid waste, www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/ citizens.htm Keep track of the Clean Air Coalition, www.capcog.org/divisions/ regional-planning/clean-air-coalition Sources: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency CAMS 674 Round Rock CAMS 03 Austn NW Murchison Caldwell CAMS 684 McKinney Roughs Bastrop Austin Northwest Murchison monitor at 3724 N. Hills Drive N. Hills Dr. Hart Ln. Far W. Blvd. September 25 & 26, 2009 Austin Convention Center For more information, contact Craig Moritz • 713-464-4459 austinmoneyshow.com N MoPac
Page 1 and 2: Largest distributed newspaper in Ce
Page 3 and 4: I am no stranger to change. My firs
Page 5 and 6: 8 Restaurant celebrates Andiamo Ris
Page 7 and 8: Clean Scapes Business Profile Clean
Page 9 and 10: First 5 Star Green Built Town Home
Page 11 and 12: At the Capitol Public education By
Page 13 and 14: Tiffany Young Melissa Mixon RedBric
Page 15 and 16: Local History Limestone quarries Au
Page 17 and 18: Community Corridor FM 2222: Capital
Page 19 and 20: 620 Day passes and multi-day visits
Page 21 and 22: impactnews.com July 2009 | 21 Commu
Page 23 and 24: Pflugerville ISD campus feeder patt
Page 25: have had more flexibility to spend
Page 29 and 30: Residential Real Estate Market Data

Austin - Community Impact Newspaper

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?