Flathead County gets 'C' for pollution increase

For the second year in a row, Flathead County has seen an increase in air pollution, according to a study released by the American Lung Association on Wednesday.

In the association’s 2016 “State of the Air” report, Flathead County received a C for its increase in unhealthy air days due to more particle pollution, or soot. Two years ago the county ranked among the cleanest air in the country and was graded as an A.

Ronni Flannery of the American Lung Association in Montana said the jump in pollution could be linked to longer, warmer summers and more severe fire seasons.

“Climate change is posing a challenge when it comes to our air quality and making it harder for us to clean up pollution and protect public health,” Flannery said.

Montana has seen a spike in air pollution over the last year, the report said.

Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Ravalli and Silver Bow counties ranked among the association’s annual worst-in-the-nation list, each receiving an F for air quality.

Out of the 11 Montana counties reviewed by the Association, none received an A. However, each location received a passing grade for its year-round average pollution level.

Particle pollution is made of soot and tiny particles that come from coal-fired power plants, diesel emissions, wildfires and wood-burning devices, according to the association.

Flannery said the state needed to focus on clean energy solutions to reduce carbon pollution.

“The benefit would be twofold,” she said. “Bringing down power emissions means cleaner air and healthier people. The state needs to move forward but we’ve kind of hit a wall.”

In August 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized its Clean Power Plan rule, which set the first national limit on carbon pollution for existing power plants. Under the plan, Montana’s goal is to reduce carbon pollution by about 47 percent from 2012 by 2030.

Montana is one of 27 states suing to halt implementation of the Clean Power Plan.

In February, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock suspended the work of a panel appointed to address new carbon dioxide emissions rules after the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the climate change plan while litigation is pending.

The governor previously said Montana’s expected cuts were unfair for energy workers and businesses throughout the state.

Flannery said even though the plan is on hold, the state’s effort to reduce emissions needs to continue.

“Our air quality should be improving, given the national trend, but it’s not. And it’s not enough to say this is climate change, we can’t do anything,” she said. “Regardless of what it’s called, a clean power plan or whatever, we have a problem and we’re looking toward leaders to solve it.”

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.