Clearing the air in Columbus

In western Georgia, Columbus officials say they believe their city won’t be included in an upcoming nationwide air-pollution report.

State and federal Environmental Protection agencies collected data over the past three summers on particulate emissions in Muscogee, Harris, and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia, and Lee and Russell counties in Alabama.

So-called "non-attainment" of federal air-quality standards would limit federal funding for projects, according to Rick Jones, city planning director.

Columbus is trying to cut air pollution, in part, by limiting idling time for diesel-powered city vehicles, which can be a leading source of particulates.

The report is due out in December.