We think York County should be excluded from environmental penalties aimed at Charlotte. Nonetheless, we recognize that air pollution is a regional problem and that South Carolina officials shouldn't go out of their way to antagonize Charlotte.
U.S. Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., Gov. Mark Sanford and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham all met with congressional and environmental leaders recently to plead York County's case. They contended that the county should not be punished because of smog pollution emanating from Charlotte.
The Environmental Protection Agency has ruled that York County would be included on a list of counties surrounding the Charlotte area as non-attainment areas. They would be subject to that classification because they allegedly are unable to meet federal guidelines regarding air quality.
York County's defenders, however, say that the county is being unfairly lumped with Charlotte despite successful efforts to comply with EPA standards. And available data appears to support that case. Monitors placed to measure pollution at key points in the county, and even one just across the state line, all show that no portion of the county exceeds EPA limits.
Charlotte officials contend that all or part of York County should be included in the non-attainment boundaries because county residents contribute to area pollution, especially commuters who drive to Charlotte daily.
In any event, the debate should center on scientific data, not wild conspiracy accusations, such as those leveled by Sen. Graham. Graham said Charlotte had political motives for wanting York County penalized.
"Efforts to bring the county into the Charlotte nonattainment area are ... designed to hurt industrial recruiting and undermine economic opportunities," he said.
That's over the top. While York County may compete with Charlotte on some levels, our economic fortunes are linked in many ways. York County uses Charlotte's proximity as a selling point in its recruiting efforts, and many local enterprises have complementary relationships with businesses in Charlotte.
We also breathe largely the same air. If Charlotte suffers from pollution exceeding federal standards, York County will suffer along with it. Regional solutions will be required to reverse that trend and avoid not only the economic damage but also the health threat that accompanies high pollution levels.
However, while York County may share the problem, it may not share the responsibility. Emissions from York County cars and trucks are insignificant relative to overall traffic throughout the Charlotte metropolitan area, including vehicles that pass through the region on Interstate 77.
Air pollution recognizes no man-made boundaries. Nonetheless, the EPA has a responsibility to draw its lines based on sound scientific findings, not arbitrary estimates.
EPA officials are expected to make a decision April 15. We hope the boundary of the nonattainment area is north of York County.
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Charlotte and York County need to work together to reduce regional pollution.
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