News Release

When the EPA decision is rendered, an expert on abatement strategy alternatives at Johns Hopkins University will be available for comment. J. Hugh Ellis, professor of environmental engineering, issued a report in January, "An Analysis of Ozone Control Strategies of Maryland," in which he concluded that the Federal Tier II Vehicle guidelines rather than the California Low Emission Vehicle Program would be more cost effective in Maryland.

The state Department of the Environment, which had requested the report, did not follow his recommendation. Instead, it and other members of the Ozone Transport Commission requested that the EPA implement the more stringent "California cars" program.

For much of his work, Dr. Ellis uses complex mathematics to determine the most cost-effective methods for reducing air pollution, acid rain or other environmental problems in a particular region. His mathematical models are also useful in the design and placement of monitoring networks for groundwater and air pollution.

Dr. Ellis serves on the Maryland Air Quality Control Advisory Council and the Committee for Measuring and Improving Infrastructure Performance, part of the National Research Council's Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems. He is a member of the Baltimore/Washington Urban Airshed Modelling Technical Advisory Group.

You may contact Dr. Ellis through my office, or by calling him at (410) 516-6537. His E-mail address is hellis@jhuvms.hcf.jhu.edu