SACOG Conformity Determination

ability to reach job centers in a reasonable period of time by auto and transit, generally
diminishes in the MTP period, although transit accessibility to some job centers is increased.
3. AIR QUALITY:
Develop a transportation system and related strategies that contribute to achieving healthy air in
the region.
The Sacramento region's ozone pollution is among the worst in the United States, in large part
due to topography and meteorology, although transportation contributes more than 60 percent of
emissions. Local surveys identify air pollution as a major health concern, causing asthma and other
lung problems. The region is classified as a "severe air quality non-attainment" area by the federal
Environmental Protection Agency. In July 2005 a new 8-hour federal air quality standards for
ozone took effect and a new rate-of-progress air quality plan is being prepared on an interim basis.
A major new air quality plan to meet the 8-hour federal standard will be ready by July 2007. If this
new standard is not achieved by the 2007 plan’s deadlines, the region will or face additional
planning requirements and possibly financial sanctions that will inhibit the its ability to expand the
transportation system. As the region grows in population, more driving causes more air pollution,
and the greatest emissions occur at the start and end of trips. Fortunately, vehicle technology has
progressed and continues to improve dramatically, and as newer vehicles replace older ones, air
quality will gradually improve. An analysis of this MTP will show conformity to the region's rateof-progress
clean air plan, which means the improvements it proposed will not undermine
achievement of the standards.
Questions and Trade-offs: Controversy still swirls about the best way to attain clean air.
Reductions in auto trips clearly offer benefits, along with major social and economic consequences.
Better transit service offers people a choice, but relatively few are choosing to ride. No
transportation strategy promises an easy, economical, and effective result for clean air except better
vehicle technology, and on that front many people have been choosing to buy large, more-polluting
vehicles in increasing numbers in recent years – although because of recent high gas prices there is
now a counter-trend towards low-polluting hybrid gas-electric vehicles. No equitable and
reasonable strategy has been found to deal with the small number of vehicles responsible for most
emissions: heavy trucks and older, poorly maintained autos. No consensus exists about how to deal
with weather as an overriding factor, and whether the region would be willing to restrict or increase
the cost of driving to help attain clean air.
How the Plan Meets This Goal: The 2006 MTP includes continued funding for incentives for
using clean air technology in heavy duty vehicles (the SECAT program), travel reduction through a
transportation demand management program and the Spare the Air program, and other effective air
quality strategies toward the day when the region is considered an “attainment area” for air quality.
The plan also funds alternative modes of transportation – public transit operations, bicycle and
pedestrian projects and community design projects that support smart growth development – that
will make cleaner forms of transportation more attractive. The plan continues funding for the
regional rideshare program, which is the only adopted transportation control measure included in
the State Implementation Plan. The 2006 MTP conforms to the 2005 Clean Air Act deadline
for lowering ozone emissions, and now that the Yuba/Sutter air basin has been determined to
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