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Regional Environmental Actions |
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CONNECT
Recommendations for
Immediate Regional Air Quality Actions
At its Executive Board Meeting on June 10, 2009, the Centralina Council of Governments endorsed recommendations for actions to improve air quality during the summer of 2009.
These actions were developed by a technical team representing air quality, planning, business, transportation, and public education experts in the Greater Charlotte Bi-State Region, including State air agency representatives from North and South Carolina. The recommendations were vetted through the Regional Environmental Cabinet of CONNECT, composed of environmental, planning, and public, private, and not-for-profit representatives from throughout the region.
The measures recommended below represent cost-effective ways of producing significant emissions reductions on both on episodic (Code Orange, Red or Purple Days) and at other times.
While these recommendations are directed to local governments as Centralina’s prime client group, they are equally applicable to private business and individuals. Local governments are encouraged to “lead by example,” but to make clear that air quality is everyone’s concern.
The specific recommendations are:
- That local governments and other organizations operating listserves participate in “network based” messaging program around reduction of Vehicle Miles Traveled and energy conservation for the summer of 2009.
- That every local government adopt no-idling policies for municipal and county fleets, particularly heavy-duty diesel equipment.
- That local governments operating large tub grinders/stump grinders NOT operate them on Code Orange, Red, or Purple days; and that they encourage private operators to follow this example. Tub grinders can produce over 3,000 grams of NOx per operating hour.
- That local governments consider inclusion of contract language in their construction contracts aimed at reducing idling of heavy-duty diesel construction equipment, a major source of NOx.
- That local governments participate in the GRADE (Grants to Replace Aging Diesel Engines) program for heavy-duty diesel repowers and replacement equipment, and encourage local contractors and farmers to do the same. GRADE is a grant program operated by Mecklenburg County Air Quality on behalf of the entire non-attainment area, and funding is available for the repowering or replacement of heavy-duty diesel equipment operated by local governments, private contractors, and farmers in the area.
- That local government efforts be framed as setting an example for the private sector and individuals. In some way, each of these recommendations can be implemented by the private sector and individual households.
Additional measures will be needed to achieve attainment and will be recommended as additional data from cost-benefit analyses and air quality modeling are available.
Adopted by Centralina COG Executive Board, June 10, 2009
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