Before you pot calls the kettle black….
Phosphate mining and manufacturing (notably in Caribou County) and legacy hard-rock mining in Northern Idaho’s Silver Valley release heavy metals, toxic air pollutants, and fugitive dust.
Natural gas and coal-fired power plants (operated by entities like Idaho Power) emit nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and mercury.
Lumber kilns, paper processing, and wood-burning byproducts (especially from older wood stoves and slash burning) are significant sources of particulate matter in northern Idaho.
Major Sources may optionally report additional air pollutants known as Hazardous Air Pollutants(HAPs), but are not required to do so. In Idaho, during any given year there are about 47 total industrial facilities who emit enough to have to report their annual emissions.
Yep, burning that firewood to stay warm in winter is a major contributor to air pollution. Look, I’m not trying to one-up anyone or anything else, just saying that every state has pluses and minuses, and all contribute to thing we really don’t want or like. So, we should be careful when we take that deep breath of “fresh” air! I would love to move to Idaho but will likely never happen.
‘23 Hot Pepper Red Wildtrak 2.7L-V6 4 dr. MIC Sas Lux and Lovin’ it!!