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Working for Cleaner Air, 11 Counties Sign Pact

December 11, 2003 - Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale joined with 10 other County Mayors in a pledge to work cooperatively to improve air quality in the region.

"This is a great opportunity for us to work together and make changes that will impact the area for generations," said Ragsdale.

Originally only 7 counties were to sign the agreement, but 4 more said they also wanted to be a part of the joint effort to work for cleaner air.

Anderson, Blount, Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, Hamblen, Knox, Loudon, Roane, Sevier and Union signed the Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement helps empower the Regional Clean Air Coalition, which includes representatives from government, business, education and the general public.

"All those groups are deeply affected by air quality and all need to be part of finding solutions," said Ragsdale.

Seven of the counties have already signed an Early Action Compact to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce ground level ozone and improve air quality. A wide variety of programs to help achieve that goal are being considered.

EPA standards must be met by December 31, 2007 or the region could be declared a non-attainment area, which could have a significant negative impact on industry and economic development efforts. Other counties in the area are being invited to join the effort as well and some have indicated they may be a part of the M.O.U.