Austin's air faces critical test

Austin's air faces critical test

By Patrick Brendel Friday, 08 May 2009

AUSTIN — Decisions Austin residents make about air quality this summer could impact the region’s economic health for the next two decades.

New, stricter federal standards on ground-level ozone could lead Austin to be designated a “nonattainment” zone for air quality.

The label carries practical consequences for businesses and transportation projects, in addition to a stigma not conducive to Austin’s image as one of the nation’s fittest cities.

Big Push

“We are exactly right on the edge of nonattainment,” said Cathy Stephens, Environmental Program Manager of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Several governmental entities, including CAMPO, have teamed up to form the Clean Air Coalition, which is leading an effort called the Big Push to reduce public agencies’ emissions. Officials are also calling on private citizens to volunteer to reduce their own impact through simple measures like driving less or waiting until the evening to gas up their cars.

“In order for us to achieve significant emissions reductions, everybody has to participate in it,” said Bill Gill, director of Air Quality Planning for the Capital Area Council of Governments.

Nonattainment

Being designated a nonattainment area, like Houston or Dallas, would bring state and federal regulations on transportation and construction projects, leading to possible delays and higher costs.

If Austin gets nonattainment status, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality would develop a plan for the region to regain compliance. The plan, inspired by the principle, “First do no harm,” would guide major decisions on transportation and business.

All transportation projects would have to conform with the plan, with the penalty of failure being the withholding of federal transportation funds. Additionally, general conformity guidelines can place restrictions on business operations, local companies wishing to expand and businesses wanting to relocate to Austin.

Regulations would apply for 20 years after Austin returns to compliance. Nonattainment status could also adversely affect people’s perception of Austin as an environmentally friendly place to live and visit.

“If you’re designated nonattainment, it singles you out as a dirty air area, even though we’re not dirty compared to Houston or Dallas,” Gill said.

On high-ozone days, about 60 to 80 percent of Austin’s ozone is carried here by wind from places like Houston and east Texas, he said. Locally generated ozone comes from many sources, including homes, businesses, construction and cars.

Gov. Rick Perry recommended to the Environmental Protection Agency that Travis County be designated nonattainment. After six months of monitoring the area’s air quality, the EPA will announce its initial decision in November. The public will have 30 days to comment, starting Nov. 12. EPA will make its final decision March 12, 2010.

Ozone

Ozone is formed naturally high in the stratosphere when the sun’s ultraviolet rays interact with oxygen molecules. Ground-level ozone, which is harmful to humans’ health, is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) combine in the presence of sunlight.

Car exhaust, industrial emissions, gasoline vapors and chemical solvents are manmade sources of NOx and VOC. Due to the summer sun, ozone is typically most prevalent from April through October.

The prevailing downturn in the economy may help Austin achieve compliance. Fewer cars on the road, less buildings under construction and reduced commercial activity have cut major sources of air pollution.

“The recession may help this season, which is sad to say,” Stephens said.

Capital Area ozone - A high concentration of ground-level ozone, caused by humans, is a health hazard. It is different from naturally occurring ozone, which is high in the stratosphere.

Clean air tips

In the car

• Share a ride to work or school
• Avoid rush-hour traffic and driving on hot days
• Take your lunch to work or school
• Use public transit, walk or ride a bicycle
• Combine errands into one trip
• Avoid drive-through lanes
• Postpone refueling until after 6 p.m.
• Do not top off your tank while refueling
• Keep vehicles tuned and tires properly inflated
• Do not ignore “check engine” lights
• Avoid revving or idling engine more than 30 seconds

In the yard

• Avoid spilling gasoline
• Maintain equipment
• Consider cleaner options, like newer or electric equipment
• Wait until after 6 p.m. to do yard work with gas equipment
• Use manual tools
• Reduce mowing time by planting low- maintenance grasses
• Recycle old equipment

In the house

• Use compact florescent lights
• Turn off lights and appliances when not in use
• Use microwaves for smaller meals
• Recycle
• Plant trees for shade to reduce dependence on air conditioning
• Reuse materials such as paper bags and boxes
• Properly dispose of household hazardous waste
• Paint with brushes, not sprayers
• Check air-conditioning filters monthly

On the Web

• Learn about Energy Star products, certified for energy efficiency, www.energystar.gov
• Find out how “green” your car is with the Vehicle Emissions Guide, www.epa.gov/autoemissions
• Find information on disposing of toxic solid waste, www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/citizens.htm
• Keep track of the Clean Air Coalition, www.capcog.org/divisions/regional-planning/clean-air-coalition

Source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency