Austin - Community Impact Newspaper

Nonattainment
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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.
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said once
a county is classified nonattainment, it will
undergo changes with lasting implications.
“You are going to begin to lose federal
funds, for a lot of purposes, including new
highway construction. You’re going to begin
to require new rules and regulations,”
he said. “For example, automobile emissions
testing is going to be a requirement.”
Leffingwell also said the federal government
will impose new rules that have
the purpose of, at some point, directing
counties back toward attainment status.
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
“Once you’re designated
nonattainment, it takes
a long time to get rid of
that designation. There
are going to be all kinds
of new rules imposed by
the federal government
that have the purpose of,
at some point, directing
you back toward
attainment status.”
Mayor Lee Leffingwell, City of Austin
comes from many sources, including
homes, businesses, construction and cars.
Based on preliminary research, 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. Groundlevel
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.
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.
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.
Comment at more.impactnews.com/4284
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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-thru 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
Keeping watch on the OZONE
MONITORING
During ozone season, April 1 to Oct. 31,
the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality operates two ozone regulatory
monitors located in Austin, one of which
is at Murchison Middle School, at 3724 N.
Hills Drive. These monitors collect data on
ground-level ozone concentrations; ozone
precursor concentrations such as nitrogen
oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and
meteorological data.
For more information, visit www.tceq.
state.tx.us/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/
site_photo.pl?cams=3.
Source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• 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 lowmaintenance
grasses
• Recycle old equipment
CAMS 690 Lake Georgetown
N
CAMS 38 Audubon
Hays
Travis
Williamson
CAMS 614 Dripping Springs
CAMS 675 San Marcos
Austin-Round Rock MSA
TCEQ Regulatory Monitors
CAPCOG Monitors
In the HOUSE
• Use compact fluorescent 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
Sources: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency
CAMS 674 Round Rock
CAMS 03 Austn NW Murchison
Caldwell
CAMS 684 McKinney Roughs
Bastrop
Austin Northwest Murchison monitor at 3724 N. Hills Drive
N. Hills Dr.
Hart Ln.
Far W. Blvd.
September 25 & 26, 2009
Austin Convention Center
For more information, contact
Craig Moritz • 713-464-4459
austinmoneyshow.com
N
MoPac