[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA'S TEN YEARS OF AIR QUALITY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 2000

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the 
outstanding environmental achievements of Lake County, California. June 
28th of this year will mark the tenth consecutive year that the 
California Air Resources Board has designated Lake County as the only 
air district in California to attain all state ambient air quality 
standards. This is a great accomplishment for Lake County, as the State 
of California's Ambient Air Quality Standards are far more stringent 
than Federal standards, which makes this accomplishment even more 
remarkable.
  The attainment of these air standards is a shared community 
achievement by the people of Lake County. The agencies, industries and 
individuals of this region have all contributed to the superior air 
quality of Lake County. There are many factors which have been involved 
in Lake County's success. All the best available control technologies 
in the geothermal, plastic fabrication and mining industries have been 
implemented. There has been a massive retrofitting of older gasoline 
stations and asphalt plants and a successful burn ban has been invoked 
during the summer season to decrease smog levels. Along with help from 
the public, these projects have been key factors in Lake County's 
continuous achievement in meeting state air quality standards.
  There are thirteen official air basins in the state of California and 
the Lake County basin is the only one which complies with all ten of 
the state standards and has been the only one able to do so on a 
consistent basis. By implementing the Geyser's Air Monitoring Program, 
the Lake County Geyser industry has been able to drastically reduce the 
naturally occurring emissions of hydrogen sulfide gas, which is a known 
air contaminant. Yet, these geysers are still able to generate 
electricity for nineteen power plants which themselves create enough 
electricity to power 880,000 homes.
  Mr. Speaker, it is proper that we honor the people, industries. and 
government of Lake County, California for their outstanding success in 
creating a healthy environment. They have been able to achieve 
standards of air quality which all communities should strive for. It is 
an honor for me to represent the people of Lake County, first as their 
State Senator and now as their Congressman. Through their efforts they 
have created a community which is both a safe and healthy place to live 
for all its citizens.

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