Some State Lawmakers Call For Stop To New EPA Standards

DENVER (CBS4)- Some state lawmakers are calling for the Environmental Protection Agency to halt implementation of new air quality standards when it comes to ozone or smog.

Colorado is among those Western states that don't meet the current standard in large part because of pollution from outside the state including Mexico and China.

Republicans and some Democrats at the state Capitol want the EPA to postpone those standards.

"I think we've had a pretty good track record over time. The regulations we've put in place have reduced those emissions and industry has done a good job to change their practices, use technology and reduce those emissions and I think that is all helping," said Colo. Air Pollution Control Division spokesman Chris Colclasure. "Nevertheless as the population grows it's difficult to actually bring the concentrations down."

Colorado has three years to meet the tighter ozone standard. If the state fails compliance, federal highway traffic funds are at stake.