Alert from Downwinders at Risk: 

One of only three national public hearings on lowering the federal ozone, or smog standard, is taking place here in DFW, at Arlington City Hall all day next Thursday. 

Lowering the federal ozone level means it will be tougher in the future for the state to claim it doesn't have to implement any new pollution controls on cement kilns, coal plants or gas facilities. More importantly, enforcement of a tougher standard means better public health: fewer "bad air days," fewer asthma attacks, fewer trips to the emergency room because your child can't breath and fewer deaths caused by dirty air. 

To secure a 3-minute speaking slot, e-mail Eloise Shepard at shepherd.eloise@epa.gov and ask for one in the time period most convenient for you. Slots are going fast (and not necessarily to citizens), so do it asap: )