Air Quality Improving, More Work Needed
Programs Reduce Ozone-forming Pollution, Protect Health

Progress North Texas 2010

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Air Quality Improving, More Work Needed


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The nine counties of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall and Tarrant are classified as nonattainment for ozone.

NCTCOG has worked extensively with the area cities, counties, transit providers and businesses throughout the past several years on policies and projects aimed at bringing the region into compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s ozone regulations. But the region narrowly missed the standard last year. NCTCOG and its partners continue to work toward the goal, even as the standard changes.

The federal government altered the ozone threshold from 85 parts per billion to 75 ppb in 2008. Another change is expected soon as EPA seeks to more adequately protect Americans’ health.

NCTCOG has helped the region improve its air quality with policies encouraging the use of cleaner-burning engines and construction equipment, idle-reduction technology and other policies and programs that seek to reduce ozone-forming pollution.

AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine allows qualifying residents to receive $3,000 vouchers ($3,500 for hybrid vehicles) toward the purchase of a cleaner-burning vehicle. The program has helped 20,000 residents buy newer vehicles. AirCheckTexas also provides $600 vouchers for qualifying residents to repair vehicles that fail the emissions portion of the state-mandated automobile inspection, leading to 20,000 repairs.

Chart: Ozone Improvement, 8-Hour Ozone Historical Trends

NCTCOG has used a combination of community outreach, projects, policies and programs to improve the region's air quality. Last year, the region almost reached attainment of the federal standard. But more work remains. The Environmental Protection Agency is toughening the standard to better protect Americans' health.

 

Regional Smoking Vehicle Program
AirCheckTexas - Drive a Clean Machine
 


Cleaning Up the Air

Since its inception in March 2007, the Regional Smoking
Vehicle Program (RSVP) has played an important role in NCTCOG's efforts to improve air quality. Designed to inform owners when their vehicles may be polluting too much, RSVP offers solutions to owners of high-emitting vehicles through education and financial assistance utilizing the AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine program.

Owners of high-polluting vehicles receiving AirCheckTexas vouchers:

2007: 36 for repairs, 26 for replacement
2008: 21 for repairs, 208 for replacement


     
Pat Darby

First Person: Pat Darby

Allen Resident


Where did you hear about the AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine Program?

A friend told me.

Pat Darby used a voucher from AirCheckTexas to buy
a more fuel-efficient vehicle.

How has the AirCheckTexas program benefited you?

I was able to turn in my 1994 Honda and buy a newer model car, a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. With the money they gave me, I made a downpayment and was able to buy a newer car than I would have been able to afford otherwise.


Why is AirCheckTexas important to North Texas?

For one thing, it's important for the environment because newer cars don't put out as much exhaust and stuff in the air. And it allows people to buy a newer car than they could have without the program.

One of the major goals of the AirCheckTexas program is to help improve the region's air quality. How do you feel about helping the effort?

I feel good about it. I want to help, and I couldn't have doen it without the AirCheck program.

Regional Participation  

AirCheckTexas continues to grow in popularity. The chart to the left provides a look at how many people benefited in the first quarter of the past two fiscal years. Increased participation has helped the program expand its reach and improve air quality.

vehicle replacement

Air Quality Achievements

What's Next: Revising the Air Quality Standard


This year, EPA announced its intention to toughen the standard designed to protect human health and implement a separate rule to protect vegetation and sensitive ecosystems. The rules are expected to be finalized by August 2010. The primary standard could be reset to between 60 and 70 ppb. Regional attainment designations are expected by next year. The nine-county nonattainment area could be expanded to more counties and the ozone season lengthened. Currently, peak ozone season in North Texas is between May and October. NCTCOG staff has begun monitoring legislation addressing greenhouse gases and climate change and its potential impact on North Texas. As the region begins to address climate change in the planning process, reduction of greenhouse gases may be taken into consideration when funding projects.


Air North Texas: Go Green. Breathe Clean.   Air North Texas
 


With the region continuing to work toward compliance of the ozone standard, it is important to have a collective effort to educate North Texans about how their everyday choices can affect the air we breathe. Air North Texas is a regional campaign promoting a consistent air quality message and motivating residents to make environmentally sound choices.

Riding mass transit and carpooling are two options that take cars off the roads. But they don’t work for everyone’s schedule. Those who commute alone can bring a lunch to work instead of eating out or observe the speed limit to help bring the region into compliance with federal ozone standards. For a full list of recommendations that will help the region accomplish this goal, visit www.airnorthtexas.org. Many people are making these choices already. And when combined with everyone else’s efforts, one person’s choices can make a significant difference.

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the opinions, findings, and conclusions presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration or the Texas Department of Transportation. This document was prepared in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Trasnportation, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration.