Officials watching ozone amid uncertainty over rules

<br>(Tulsa-AP) -- Warm and windless condition throughout the state have officials in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Lawton thinking about how tighter federal air standards may affect them. <br><br>New E-P-A

Monday, July 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Warm and windless condition throughout the state have officials in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Lawton thinking about how tighter federal air standards may affect them.

New E-P-A ozone regulations are being challenged in federal court. The new rules aren't currently enforceable, but some Oklahoma towns are trying to anticipate the new rules becoming effective at some point.

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Michael Dean says Oklahoma City and Tulsa couldn't meet the proposed standards based on past data. Dean says Lawton would only be on the verge of compliance.

State officials have argued that Oklahoma shouldn't be held to the same air quality standards as huge cities like Los Angeles and Houston.

Tulsa had its first ozone alert today. City officials called for residents to curb activities that contribute to ozone - such as mowing, driving and refueling cars. Oklahoma City has had two alerts this summer and had an excessive reading over the weekend. Lawton had an ozone alert Friday and had an excessive reading on Saturday.