Lake Charles Buying Air-Friendly Mowers

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — City officials are taking aim at improving air quality in the Lake Charles area.

The American Press reports the City Council has approved an ordinance allowing the purchase of alternative-fuel mowers for use by the recreation and parks department.

The deal comes as Calcasieu and Cameron parishes are close to failing to meet air quality standards set by federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Failure to meet air-quality standards is called nonattainment. As of July, Lake Charles was close to nonattainment. The expected industrial expansion headed to the region has focused more attention on ways to improve air quality.