Clean Air In the News

Sen. Kip Averitt, R-McGregor, filed a bill Thursday that would amp up efforts to reduce emissions in Texas.

The measure, Senate Bill 12, would augment the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan and the Low-Income Vehicle Repair Assistance Program to help the state meet upcoming federal air quality deadlines.

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The two programs were designed in 2001 to reduce on- and off-road mobile emissions, the primary source of nitrogen oxides, a key element of smog.

"Mobile emissions are arguably the most important piece of the state's air quality puzzle," Averitt said.

"I've been looking at this issue for a long time from a lot of different angles, and Senate Bill 12 will maximize programs that taxpayers have already invested in to produce meaningful, expeditious air quality improvements for Texas."

The measure increases the income eligibility level for LIRAP grants from 200 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty level.

It also increases reimbursements for the replacement of old, heavily polluting vehicles and the purchase of hybrids.

"Today is a good day for the breathers of Texas," said Luke Metzger, Texas director of environmental watchdog group Environment Texas.

"Air pollution has been making Texas families sick for too long and SB 12 is a critical step to making our air safe to breathe again."