ICC, clean air don’t mix

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

ICC, clean air don’t mix

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Global warming threatens in coming decades to inundate islands and shorelines in the Chesapeake region, even in Washington itself.

Also drowning us is air pollution, which sickens and kills people, animals and plants.

The Gazette reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified the Washington metropolitan area as a ‘‘severe nonattainment” area for pollution in 2003, due to high ozone levels (‘‘Air-quality plan drafted by Council of Governments,” March 21). The region faces a 2010 deadline for meeting the ozone standard.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is offering a new plan that includes trying to reduce vehicle emissions.

How does all this compute with building the Intercounty Connector, a new six-lane expressway 18 miles long?

Apart from the ridiculous $3 billion cost, our region cannot afford the pollution effects of yet another Outer Beltway, including the ICC segment.

We must devote the funds to rational plans for mass transit instead. Why should we continue to go full speed in the wrong direction, the direction of illness, death and disaster?

S. Gregory Price, Takoma Park