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This Week
Official: Fed ozone limits could cripple Valley growth BY PAUL MARYNIAK Foothills Focus Staff Writer
T BUSINESS ......... 13
U-Haul ranks Arizona No. 7 growth state of ‘22
FEATURES ........ 16
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
he Phoenix Metro region could lose more than $100 million in economic growth if it fails to meet upgrade federal air quality standards for ozone levels by August 2024, a Valley environmental official told Phoenix City Council recently. And those losses would steadily increase over the next 20 years to as much as $848 million if the Valley’s ozone levels are not brought under control, Tim Franquist, environmental policy director for the Maricopa Association of Governments told council’s Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee Jan. 4. Moreover, the controls necessary to
meet more stringent federal air quality controls will carry a substantial cost to taxpayers, he indicated. “That’s going to be a big issue for this area,” he continued. “We really haven’t put in ozone-control measures for about 20 years, so we’re definitely going to need a lot more measures coming into place.” Right now, the only way the Valley could meet the elevated Environmental Protection Agency’s ozone limits would be taking all four million gasoline-powered motor vehicles in Maricopa County off the road by August 2024, Franquist said. And even then, he added, “we would barely make the standard.” And since that’s a virtual impossibility, the cost of meeting tougher air quality
standards will come in lost industrial development opportunities as businesses avoid relocating or expanding here rather than pay for federally-imposed, tougher emission controls. That cost would extend beyond the Valley since tougher emission standards would exist even for trucks and cars that come into the region on a regular basis from other parts of the state and country that may not have similarly tough standards, he said. It also would be reflected in other ways, Franquist said, such as higher construction permit fees and more stringent vehicle emissions inspection standards. “It impacts us by aborting businesses,”
see OZONE page 4
Wreaths Across America unveils new theme YOUTH.............. 19
Stories appeal to bluesman Tommy Castro
Youth-led nonprofit supports active duty, vets
OPINION ......................8 BUSINESS ................. 12 FEATURES ................ 15 YOUTH....................... 19 CLASSIFIEDS............. 22 Zone 2
BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
E
ach year, millions of Americans come together to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom. This gathering of volunteers and patriots takes place in local, state and national cemeteries in all 50 states — most recently at 3,702 participating locations — as part of National Wreaths Across America
Day. Each year, a new theme is chosen to help volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and outreach in their own communities. Recently, the national nonprofit unveiled the theme for 2023: “Serve and Succeed.” The inspiration for this year’s theme came while discussing the significance of 2022’s theme, which was “Find a Way to Serve,” and the need to continue to stress the importance of service and the
positive ways it can impact lives. Wreaths Across America plans to focus on the storylines of veterans and military families who have found success through their own service, while also highlighting local volunteers across the country and the success that comes from serving their communities. The organization will continue its commitment to supporting and bringing atten-
see WREATHS page 4
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