Air quality update

Here's a brief report on the most recent meeting of the Triad Early Action Compact held on December 3, 2007. Sorry I'm so late getting this posted.

There were no surprises in the final summer air quality readings, and according to the calculations based on those readings, the Triad will be certified as in compliance with the 8-hour ozone standard. The NC Division of Air Quality expected to certify the data before the end of 2007. Once the EPA issues its official determination (March 12 , 2008?), the Triad will shift into a "maintenance" period UNTIL the new EPA standards (which are expected to be more stringent) are adopted. Local governments' use of "green" initiatives and energy performance contracts are expected to deliver additional energy-saving (and pollution-reducing) benefits. We members of the steering committee agreed to maintain our quarterly meeting schedule in order to monitor our situation, and I agreed to remain on the committee as a "civilian" participant.

Since it is highly unlikely that that Early Action Compacts will be allowed in the next round, there is quite a bit of uncertainty about how the next attainment process will be carried out. Comments submitted to the EPA about the new standard ran the gamut from those wanting even stricter limits to those who thought the current ones are sufficient. Once a final number is set, whomever is displeased can (and probably will) litigate, delaying the implementation until the courts decide. It will be increasingly difficult to meet the standard, not because our air quality is getting worse, but because the standards are getting more stringent.

Lorelei Elkins reported that 1,010 people made pledges during the Triad Commute Challenge to try an alternative mode of transportation to their single-occupancy vehicle at least once. Assuming that each person fulfilled that pledge one time, the Triad's VMT (vehicle miles traveled) was reduced by a minimum of 23,000 miles. Follow-up surveys indicate that many people have continued using those other transportation options.

Monitor readings in Davidson County and the Hickory area for PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) have unfortunately remained above '15,' keeping those areas designated as "non-attainment" for that pollutant. Guilford County unfortunately continues to wear that same label since we were lumped in with Davidson although our monitor at Mendenhall Middle School has always remained below '15'. An additional monitor is being added in Guilford County at the Sandy Ridge Road fire station in High Point. An analysis of the composition of the offending particles indicates that the problem is coming from a stationery source -- NOT transportation which only accounts for 8%. It is hoped that PM2.5 compliance will be achieved by 2010.

The next meeting will be held on March 17 by which time EPA should have declared the Triad in attainment for the 8-hour ozone standard and issued its new standards.