“Finally, harried denizens of the Bay Area can look forward to some respite from drafts of smoky air that have kept them home-bound over the last week.
Air quality management officials let out that particulate matter in the air was in the way of containment, and the unhealthy air warnings issued over the last fortnight would most likely be lifted very soon.”
more here.
ALLENTOWN – With Pennsylvania implementing new federal air quality guidelines that are more protective of public health, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Lehigh Valley/Berks County Air Quality Partnership said today that residents can help avoid air quality action days by using mass transit during the summer ozone season.
During a ceremony at the Lehigh/Northampton Transportation Authority’s Allentown Transportation Center, DEP Northeast Regional Director Michael Bedrin emphasized that using public or alternative transportation means cleaner air and more money saved for riders.
“Public transportation is a convenient, common sense approach to reducing the smog-forming air pollution that can make it difficult for some people to breathe,” said Bedrin. “Also, with gasoline prices at record levels, opting for mass transit or carpooling makes economic sense, as well.”
Ground-level ozone, a key component of smog, is formed when pollution from vehicles, industry, consumer products and power plants “bakes” in the hot, summer sun, making it difficult for some people to breathe. Particulate matter, which is airborne dust or small soot particles, can also cause health problems for children or the elderly with respiratory problems, as well as the general population.
The goals of the Lehigh Valley/Berks County Air Quality Partnership are to increase the public’s understanding on the impact of air pollution, provide alerts on days with high air pollution, provide health effects information and guidelines to prevent or reduce exposure, and encourage voluntary actions to reduce air pollution emissions, especially on ozone action days, or days when the air is expected to be unhealthy to breathe.
The partnership, in conjunction with local media such as WFMZ-TV, disseminates information when action days are forecast for the region. Using DEP meteorological data, the partnership informs people about the predicted ozone levels and any precautions that need to be taken.
In addition, the partnership and DEP are releasing daily forecasts on air pollution caused by particulate matter, commonly called PM 2.5.
DEP is again committing resources to offer the public free LANTA bus rides on ozone action weekdays. The department, in conjunction with the partnership and LANTA, have sponsored the Ride Free on Ozone Action Days program during the summer for the past seven years.
This year, there will most likely be more ozone action days declared because DEP has adopted the new ozone air quality index scale that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released in March. EPA’s new ozone standard changes the 8-hour ozone standard from 85 parts per billion to 76 parts per billion.
Once available funds have been exhausted for the Ride Free program, the department will notify local residents and request that they continue to use LANTA’s system or try alternative transportation, such as walking or cycling, during the rest of the summer ozone season.
The Lehigh Valley/Berks County Air Quality Partnership is a coalition of individuals, businesses, governments and community groups that educates the public about the dangers of ground-level ozone and particulate matter, and encourages people to take voluntary actions to reduce their contributions to air pollution.
“We appreciate the assistance and cooperation from the partnership, LANTA, WFMZ-TV and the residents of the Lehigh Valley in our combined efforts to improve the air quality and respiratory health in the region,” said Bedrin.
For additional information on air quality issues, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: air quality, or go directly to the partnership’s homepage by using the keyword “Air Quality Partner.”
The partnership has also developed a new blog for detailed activities and cross links to other air quality related sites at lvbaqp.wordpress.com.
. Partnership Chair Keith Williams addresses the media about the “Ride Free on Ozone Action Days” program.
Visit the EPA’s Air Quality Awareness Week site here!
Fine Particulates (PM 2.5) – Code GREEN Regional Maximum PM 2.5 Concentrations: Monday, March 24, 2008: PM 2.5 – GREEN (35 AQI or 10.8 µg/m3) Short-Term Discussion: Light showers are working their way eastward out of Michigan at the moment. Clouds should thicken as this system approaches our area later this evening. These showers may eventually affect our region early tomorrow morning though the bulk of the precipitation is forecast to stay well to our north. Fine-particulate concentrations are currently in the good range. Increasing clouds overnight with the possibility of some light showers developing over portions of the forecast area. Precipitation should fall in the form of rain as most areas should stay in the mid 30s except in the higher elevations to our north. Mostly cloudy with a passing shower in the morning though we should see some breaks in the overcast and an increase in the wind later in the afternoon. Temperatures will climb into the mid 50s. Westerly winds and drier air should keep Wednesday’s fine-particulate concentrations in the codeGREEN (good) range. Extended: A frontal boundary should develop over the forecast area later this week. This means we are probably in for an extended period of clouds and showers that could last through Friday. While temperatures should stay on the cool side, they should be warm enough to keep the bulk of any precipitation in liquid form. Air-quality readings should fluctuate between the good and moderate ranges over the next several days. Spring must be coming because the ice on Lake Erie is beginning to break up! The Buffalo NWS Office has a nice site showing ice-melt progress. If you are interested click here: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/buf/lakeffect/ice0708/index_0708.htm (note recent winds have shoved most of the ice against the southern and eastern sides of the lake)
From EPA:
(Washington, D.C. - March 7, 200 
EPA has unveiled a new plan of action for working with public port authorities and other interested groups to reduce the environmental impacts of moving goods through ports. The “Vision, Mission, and Strategy for Sustainable Ports” recognizes the steady growth in global maritime commerce and the critical role American ports and related transportation and supply chain partners play in managing the environmental impacts of moving goods across the country.
Ports are vital to the United States economy. Ocean-going ships move more than 99 percent of U.S. overseas trade (by weight). The top ten U.S. ports moved a combined total of 23 million cargo containers in 2006. The environmental challenges for ports and their transportation network include reducing air emissions, improving water quality, and protecting the health of communities near port facilities.
EPA’s Strategy focuses on six themes: Clean Air and Affordable Energy, Clean and Safe Water, Healthy Communities and Eco-systems, Global Environment, Ports Communications, and Enforcement. There are more than 70 possible actions, including working with port authorities, their business partners and other sectors of the transportation industry to quantify and reduce air emissions from all sources along the shipping supply chain; setting up state innovative financing funds to help small owner-operators of diesel equipment finance the upgrading or replacement of older, dirtier engines; and collaborating with the international port community on innovative technologies and development of international standards.
EPA’s strategy complements the recent resolution and guiding principles on port sustainability issued by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). EPA programs will work with AAPA, individual port authorities, private port operators, transportation supply and logistics companies, government agencies, states, communities, and other interested groups to promote and implement sustainable practices at ports and their related operations. EPA regions will work collaboratively with individual ports to select (from among the full menu of possible actions in the EPA Strategy) a specific set of activities to work on together. These shared action plans will address the unique environmental impacts and opportunities for ports in different parts of the country.
More about EPA Strategy for Sustainable Ports and the ports sector: http://www.epa.gov/sectors/ports
You may have noticed that the Partnership blog is lacking it’s normal flair, branding and color scheme. We’re working through some small upgrades and have, for the time being, cut everything back the basic template while we tweak. Look for the familiar layout, with some new additions, very soon.
From AirNow.gov:
Celebrating 10 Years of AIRNow!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its co-sponsor, the National Association of Clean Air Agencies
(NACAA), invite you to attend this year’s National Air Quality Conferences, which will be held Sunday – Wednesday, April 6-9, 2008, in Portland, Oregon. Air quality professionals from federal, state, local and tribal air pollution organizations, metropolitan and regional planning organizations, environmental and research organizations, and industry representatives are encouraged to participate to learn the latest information on air quality forecasting, mapping, and monitoring, air quality and your health, and innovative outreach programs.
Returning this year will be a track of sessions dedicated to ambient air monitoring topics, including the monitoring implications of potential new air quality standards for ozone and lead, strategies for use of approved PM2.5 continuous methods, NCore technologies, updates about the PM2.5 chemical speciation program, and information on special studies and international topics.
The conferences will feature optional sessions on Sunday, including air quality forecasting training, a session on sharpening your communications skills, and a workshop on continuous PM2.5 monitoring methods and recommended operational practices. The general program will begin on Monday with an opening plenary session, followed by two days of focused breakout sessions; exhibits; and a poster session. The conference will adjourn early afternoon Wednesday with a closing plenary session. Come share your experiences and knowledge, network with colleagues, and learn about new and innovative projects at our exhibits and poster area.
The conferences are being held at the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront, which is located 15 minutes from the airport, on the scenic Willamette River in downtown Portland. The hotel conference rate is $106 a night for a single or double room, plus 12.5% tax. All reservations must be made by Monday, March 10, 2008. After this date, reservations are subject to space and rate availability. To make your reservation, please call 1-800-546-9513. Ask for in-house reservations, and then reference the EPA Air Quality Conference to receive the group rate.
If you are interested in participating in the National Air Quality Conferences as a speaker or poster presenter, please complete the “Speaker and Poster Proposal Submittal Form”(doc) and e-mail it to NAQCabstracts@epa.gov by January 23, 2008. The online conference registration page will also be available at www.airnow.gov in early January.
Call for Speakers and Posters
We welcome inquiries from potential exhibitors and conference sponsors. This is a perfect opportunity to network with your colleagues, clients, and others interested and involved in air quality. In addition to onsite recognition during the conference, logos of exhibitors and sponsors who commit early will be included online and in conference materials. For more information on exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, contact Erin Pittorino at ERG at erin.pittorino@erg.com.
Help us spread the news about the conference by forwarding this e-mail to colleagues who may be interested in attending. Thank you.
Congratulations to Tom DiLazaro, the 2007 recipient of the R. Emmet Doherty Clean Air Award! Tom was presented with the award at today’s annual partner Luncheon at the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown. A full report of today’s event (and pictures) will be posted soon. Also look for coverage from East Penn Publishing and Blue Ridge Cable’s TV 13.
Allentown, PA: The Air Quality Partnership of Lehigh Valley-Berks will be holding its annual luncheon on Monday, November 15 at the Da Vinci Science Center at Cedar Crest College in Allentown. The entire event is free to partner organizations and their representatives. Participants will enjoy a catered lunch prepared by Simply Smooth catering and the Partnership will present the R Emmet Doherty Clean Air Award for 2007. Partners are encouraged not only to attend, but also to think of this as an opportunity to invite other air quality stake holders they work with to join with the Air Quality Partnership and meet us on the 15th.
From EPA:
EPA Lauds Private Partners for Improving Fuel Economy, Reducing Greenhouse Gases
Wal-Mart, Office Depot and IBM Among Winners
Contact: Dave Ryan, (202) 564-4355 / ryan.dave@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C. - Oct. 23, 2007) EPA yesterday recognized 34 businesses and organizations with its 2007 SmartWay Excellence Awards for environmental leadership in reducing fuel consumption and lowering greenhouse-gas emissions from big trucks.
“Recipients of this year’s SmartWay Excellence Awards are showing the financial and environmental values of cutting petroleum use in their transportation operations,” said Marcus Peacock, deputy administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Through their voluntary participation in the SmartWay Transport Partnership, these companies are supporting EPA in moving the nation forward to a healthier and more secure future.”
The second annual SmartWay Excellence Awards were presented during the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals in Philadelphia. This year’s recipients have integrated a broad range of innovative fuel-saving strategies and technologies into their freight and fleet operations, leading to reduced energy consumption and cleaner air. Improvements include installation of auxiliary power units, which eliminate the need to idle an engine all night to heat or cool the cab while a driver sleeps.
Because of three-year commitments to upgrade their trucks with auxiliary power units, energy efficient tires, enhanced trailer aerodynamics, and other improvements, SmartWay partners are saving 600 million gallons of diesel fuel — a cost benefit of almost $2 billion — and eliminating nearly seven million metric tons of carbon-dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.
The SmartWay® Transport Partnership is an innovative collaboration between EPA and the freight industry to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.
EPA launched SmartWay in 2004 to address the environmental and economic challenges surrounding growth in the freight industry. Through the program, EPA is now working with more than 600 businesses to improve both their bottom line and the environment by offering technical assistance, tools for evaluating opportunities to lower fuel use and emissions, and help in locating financing for the purchase of fuel-saving equipment and technology.
For more information on the SmartWay Transport Partnership and the achievements of its awardees: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/awards07.htm
R289
|
NOAA Headlines
