As the saying goes, &uot;Any news is good news.&uot;

Such is the case with the improvements being made by Alabama Power Company at two of its Birmingham Metro Area plants.

Although no immediate work is planned for E.C. Gaston Steam Plant in Wilsonville, power company officials are addressing problems at two plants that are suspected of causing the most problems in Jefferson and Shelby counties as far as ozone pollution.

Apparently, the wind generally blows pollution from the west to the east.

So, the power company plans to address the Gorgas Plant in Walker County and the Miller Plant in Jefferson County.

Both Jefferson and Shelby counties are non-attainment areas due to high levels of ozone pollution, according to the federal air quality standards.

This non-attainment status restricts economic development with certain industrial restrictions for new businesses locating in the area.

Shelby County officials have indicated that non-attainment status has cost the county millions of dollars in tax revenues and hundreds of jobs during the past five years.

This is a good first step and evidence that Alabama Power is attempting to maintain its good neighbor status.

However, pressure must continue.

The ozone problems which have cost Shelby County so much must be addressed.

Once the work is complete on the first two plants, the Gaston Plant should be next.

We expect those are the plans of Alabama Power Company.

Let’s make sure we hold them to those plans