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Transportation and Air Quality in the Treasure Valley

Transportation and Air Quality in the Treasure Valley. Distance, topography, and weather. Air pollution distributed throughout the entire airshed. Political boundaries are not air pollution boundaries. Treasure Valley Airshed. Brief History. Historic Air Quality Problems

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Transportation and Air Quality in the Treasure Valley

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  1. Transportation and Air Quality in the Treasure Valley

  2. Distance, topography, and weather. Air pollution distributed throughout the entire airshed. Political boundaries are not air pollution boundaries. Treasure Valley Airshed

  3. Brief History • Historic Air Quality Problems • Topography / Climatology • Nonattainment for CO and PM10 • Attainment / Maintenance Area • New Pollutants of Concern

  4. PM10 and CO Maintenance Area Conformity (Budget) Future Ozone or PM2.5 Non-Attainment? Clean Air Act Implications

  5. CAA/Federal HWY Funds • CAA sanctions • Transportation Conformity

  6. Small Particulate Matter Carbon Monoxide Air Toxics NOx VOCs Vehicles Pollute • Carbon Monoxide is a colorless gas emitted from your vehicle’s tailpipe • Small Particulate (PM2.5) is made up of direct emissions of fine particles and particles that form from gases that come directly from your vehicle • Ozone is created by gases and vapors that are emitted by your vehicle and then formed in reactions that occur in strong sunlight and heat • Toxic Air Pollutants – Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Formaldehyde, etc.

  7. Source: Northern Ada County PM10 SIP Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request/1999 Emission Inventory

  8. Source: Northern Ada County PM10 SIP Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request/1999 Emission Inventory

  9. Ozone Strong sunlight Ozone: Summer • Volatile Organic Compounds • industrial sources • biogenic sources • fuel sources Volatile Organic Compounds • Nitrogen Oxides • transportation sources

  10. Ozone Source: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Monitoring Data

  11. PM2.5: Winter/Fires Primary PM2.5-directly emitted Secondary PM2.5-chemically formed • Volatile Organic Compounds • industrial sources • biogenic sources • fuel sources • Nitrogen/Sulfur Oxides & Ammonia • motor vehicles • diesel fuel • livestock Cold, Stagnant Air

  12. National Standards • Cleaner Fuels • Tailpipe standards

  13. Ada County VMT (millions) Emissions (Tons)

  14. NOX Reductions Due to Emissions Testing

  15. AQ/Transportation Improvement Activities • Clean Cities (Alternative Fuel Infrastructure) • COMPASS Board • Public Outreach / Alert Program • Highway Message Boards • Diesel Retrofit • Anti-idling • Interagency Consultation Process • TV Air Quality Council

  16. Upcoming Studies • Ozone 350K ITD • PM2.5 400K ITD • Air Toxics 500K EPA

  17. The Treasure Valley Air Quality Council "...to protect, preserve, and, where necessary, improve the quality of air in the Treasure Valley while accommodating private, public and commercial interests."

  18. The Council’s Responsibilities • Compile all historical air quality studies in the Treasure Valley. • Examine the air quality conditions in and around the Treasure Valley. • Consult with the public and establish a non-voting citizens committee. • Develop an air quality plan for the area and assist in implementation of that plan.

  19. Responsibilities, cont. • Conduct a public awareness campaign. • Recommend the adoption of statutes, ordinances, policies and rules needed by governmental agencies to implement the plan. • Assist local, state and federal agencies in the establishment of a multi-agency oversight capability to succeed the council. • Council dissolved in 7 years.

  20. AQ Bottomline • PM10 and CO problems solved. • Ozone and PM2.5 Pollutants of Concern. • Ozone and PM2.5 complicated pollutants to understand and control. • Proactive measures needed to protect Public Health and avoid future nonattainment.

  21. The Recommendations • “Treasure the Valley’s Air”: Enhanced Public Education on Air Quality and Establishment of Corporate Award • OBD Vehicle Emission Testing in Ada and Canyon Counties • Implement Stage 1 Vapor Recovery at Retail Gas Stations • Uniform Ordinances for Local Air Quality Problems • Regional Land Use, Planning and Zoning • Regional Air Quality Data and Coordination

  22. What’s Next? • After the close of the public-comment period, the Council will integrate citizens’ recommendations and present a draft final plan by January 1, 2007. • A public hearing will be held within 30 days of the draft final plan release. • The plan will then be submitted for review and approval by the Legislature.

  23. TVAQC Website

  24. Potential Solutions • Cleaner Fuels / Alternative • Cleaner Tail Pipe Standards • Truck Stop Electrification • Land Use Planning/Coordination

  25. Potential Solutions • Stage 1 Vapor Recovery • Enhanced Inspection Program • Anti-Idling Ordinances • Bus/Diesel Vehicle Retrofits • Alternative Transit Options

  26. Ozone and PM2.5 are pollutants of concern Transportation emissions are the largest pollution source New vehicles are getting cleaner BUT, More people, more cars, more miles traveled Stricter AQ Standards Proactive Measures to Avoid future problems Transportation / AQ Summary

  27. Questions?

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