Phil von Hake Replies to "At Long Last, Metro Area Breathes Easy" Report in Rocky Mountain News

July 29, 2002

The following is a letter that Phil von Hake wrote in response to the "EPA will announce Denver meets all clean-air standards" story found in the July 29, 2002, edition of the Rocky Mountain News.

Denver still has way to go on air quality

While Denver might now be "in compliance" with EPA air-quality standards, keep in mind that these standards are usually arrived at after long political battles between scientists and environmentalists (who truly do work for the average citizen's ability to breathe clean air) and powerful business interests (that strive for the loosest possible standards and regulations).

Also keep in mind that carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the single greatest contributors to poor air quality and global warming. Yet EPA doesn't even have compliance standards for this dangerous greenhouse gas.

Achieving EPA compliance should not be thought of as "the end of the road," but rather a significant milestone in the journey towards truly clean air.

The metro area still has much to do - with several obstacles in the way (urban sprawl, SUVs, coal-fired power plants, etc.) - before we can truly consider Denver's air to be "clean."

Phil von Hake
Englewood