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Germantown committee backs resolution joining county push to reverse EPA nonattainment designation
Summary
The committee approved a resolution joining Washington County in requesting reversal of the EPA's nonattainment designation, with a county official saying regional transport (from Illinois/Indiana) is largely to blame and the change is harming local businesses.
The Germantown Public Works Committee voted to approve a resolution joining Washington County’s effort to seek reversal of the Environmental Protection Agency’s nonattainment designation for portions of Washington County.
Jeff Schleif, identified in the meeting as a county board chairman and resident, presented the request and described prior county activity. Schleif said the county has been part of a nonattainment area for decades and that recent EPA determinations had raised Washington County’s classification: "We were nonattainment, and now we're serious nonattainment," he said. Schleif and county documents cited by a presenter said most of the ozone and related air-quality impact measured over the county originates from emissions transported from Illinois and Indiana.
Schleif said a joint letter from several county administrators asked the EPA to reconsider, and he noted a recent court stay that gives the region a potential opportunity to seek relief. "So it doesn't cost you anything to make a resolution," Schleif told the committee, urging Germantown to join Washington County’s appeal.
Why it matters: Representatives said that businesses face stricter permitting and regulatory obligations inside higher nonattainment categories and that the designation can have indirect costs for residents; committee members asked questions about specific local impacts. Staff and Schleif said the effect on specific local economic decisions is difficult to quantify but that local leaders believe the reclassification has had adverse consequences.
Outcome: The committee approved the resolution and will forward it to the village board. Staff recorded the vote as approved by the committee; no detailed individual vote tally was read into the record.
Ending: Schleif said many municipalities and townships in the county are joining the effort and asked Germantown for a like resolution; the committee approved it and will forward it to the village board for final consideration.
