1 1 Fine Particle State Implementation Plan (SIP) Recommendations Amy M. Wainright, Esq. Environmental Planner, NOACA Presentation to Board 11/9/07 First Baptist Church, Shaker Heights – Jane Halbedel

2 State Implementation Plans (SIPs) “Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.” John Kenneth Galbraith The disastrous? Failing to make attainment, receiving federal sanctions, discouraging new business, and suffering health effects from poor air quality. The unpalatable? Creating a SIP.

3 3 The Problem: Fine Particle Nonattainment What is nonattainment? Failure of an area to attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for a criteria pollutant What are the NAAQS? Health-based air standards set by USEPA under the federal Clean Air Act Deadlines for achieving the NAAQS are dictated by the Clean Air Act itself

4 4 Northeast Ohio and PM 2.5 PM 2.5 is particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – less than one-tenth the width of a human hair. PM 2.5 has been found to be a contributor to lung disease, heart disease, and premature death. NE Ohio is in nonattainment for the Annual PM 2.5 NAAQS of 15 µg/m 3 (3-year avg.). When designated, the region showed µg/m 3.

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6 6 Constituents of PM 2.5 Sulfates: From coal-fired power plants, generally in warm weather. Also from sulfur in diesel and gasoline. Nitrates: From NOx emitters, including industry, cars, trucks, buses, and non-road equipment, generally in cool weather. Ammonia: From agriculture. Carbon: From combustion, both industrial and motor vehicle. Crustal particles: From fires, volcanoes, dirt, dust, road salt. Water.

7 To What Sectors Can PM 2.5 Be Attributed? Ohio EPA 2002 Emissions Inventory - Data for NOx, SO2, and PM 2.5, but lacking Organic Carbon (un-apportioned to date)

8 What is the Process by which NOACA is Helping to Solve the Problem? Ohio EPA and NOACA have a Memorandum of Understanding for NOACA to: Assist with baseline inventory Investigate emissions reduction strategies Assess which strategies have value Make recommendations to Ohio EPA Perform all tasks through a public process The Garfield Monument, Cleveland – Jane Halbedel

9 9 NOACA and the SIP Process NOACA Air Quality Public Advisory Task Force, chaired by Robert Klaiber, Cuyahoga County Engineer, , created recommendations. Air Quality Subcommittee, chaired by Robert Aufuldish, Lake County Commissioner, reviewed and adopted recommendations, TAC and PAC review and adopt recommendations, Governing Board reviews, adopts and submits to Ohio EPA – Nov-Dec State Implementation Plan (SIP) for PM 2.5 due from Ohio EPA to USEPA in April Attainment Deadline: April 2010.

10 Recommendations Mobile Sources (On-Road and Non-Road) Stationary Sources 10 Interstate 90, Cleveland - NOACA

11 Mobile Source Recommendations - The Six R’s of Diesel Cleanup  Retrofit existing vehicles with pollution controls Refuel with cleaner fuels Replace older vehicles with clean technology vehicles Reduce idling Repair/Rebuild using engine maintenance and/or rebuilding Repower by replacing older engines with newer engines

12 Recommendations: Diesel On-Road Vehicles Mandatory Retrofits: Public Fleets - Mandatory best available retrofit technology (BART) for all government diesel vehicles, phased in over 2 years, if funding is supplied. Voluntary Retrofits: Public and Private Fleets - Voluntary emissions reduction programs – grants/loans for public and private vehicles, and an educational campaign. Anti-Idling: Public and Private Fleets - Idling reduction for transit and other fleets (voluntary, eventually mandatory) with educational outreach. Anti-Idling: Public and Private Fleets - Loan programs for anti- idling equipment (auxiliary power units, cab heaters, etc.)

13 Diesel On-Road Vehicles, cont. Truck Stop Electrification (TSE): Identify key sites for TSE, include financing programs, and require new truck stops and rest areas to include TSE infrastructure. ( Same as Ozone SIP.) Smoke Checks: Roadside diesel truck opacity testing to check exhaust for excessive particulate emissions Ohio EPA responsibility First violation warning; second violation ticket and fine For all trucks and buses, public and private

14 Recommendations: Gasoline & Diesel On-Road Vehicles Auto Safety Standards: Statewide safety/anti- tampering standards for all used vehicles (either at point-of-sale or biennially) to prevent “dumping” of poorly functioning vehicles in Ohio Fuel Testing: Statewide testing of gasoline and diesel specifications at the supply source or at the tanks, checking for high sulfur content and other contaminants Mass Transit: Greater funding by State of Ohio for public transit in Northeast Ohio

15 Recommendations: Diesel Non-Road Vehicles Construction Retrofits: Public and Private Fleets - Combine private financing with government grants, low-interest financing, technical assistance to construction equipment owners, and the State of Ohio to provide information on grant and financing programs.

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17 Diesel Non-Road Vehicles, cont. Public Works Projects: Emissions performance specifications in contracts for public works projects. Could include: Idling time limits. Use of new or retrofitted diesel equipment. Use of alternatively fueled vehicles (electric, CNG, etc.). Overall emissions limits to allow flexibility for contractors – use of newer equipment compared to other work sites. Accelerated use of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and/or biodiesel in construction equipment.

18 Diesel Non-Road Vehicles, cont. Transportation Projects: Request that the project sponsor for the Innerbelt Project conduct an evaluation of the likely impacts to fine particle pollution levels from the construction equipment used for the project and to develop a plan to mitigate or minimize those impacts.

19 Diesel Non-Road Vehicles, cont. Marine Ports: Adopt truck traffic anti-idling policy at the Port of Cleveland/Cuyahoga County. (Same as in Ozone SIP recommendations.) Diesel forklifts were retrofitted in Airports: Replace Cleveland-Hopkins Airport ground support equipment (GSE) with electric, CNG, or other clean technology. (Same as in Ozone SIP recommendations.) Snowplows and ambulances already updated with hot- start technology. Railroads: Replace switchyard and line-haul locomotives with newer, cleaner equipment with anti-idling capability.

20 On-Road and Non-Road Vehicles Alternative Fuels: Voluntary increased use by public and private fleets of: Ethanol (E85) Biodiesel Natural Gas Propane Electric Vehicles, both plug-in and hybrid

21 Stationary Source Recommendations Steel Mills: NOx RACT (Reasonably Available Control Technology) for steel mill boilers Large Sources including Power Plants: NOx Credit Trading Bank with partial credit retirements annually Diesel Generators: Retrofits and educational campaign. Hydronic Heaters: Adoption of NESCAUM Model Rule to regulate new outdoor wood-fired boilers Open Burning: Mandatory “No Burn” Days when ozone or PM Levels are elevated Wood Stoves: Voluntary wood stove change-out program

22 Stationary Source Recommendations, cont. Asphalt Plants: Flexible RACT for hot mix asphalt plants Restaurants: Catalytic oxidizers for broiling and grilling Enforcement Practices: Adjusting to an appropriate level of staffing at Ohio EPA and local air agencies Road Salt: Use liquefied brine, as ODOT and some communities do now, to reduce total applied road salt. Also, strictly adhere to local salt minimization policies Long-Term Solutions: Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) to create markets for wind power and other renewables; energy audits; local manufacture of energy components

23 Conclusions Diesel on-road and non-road vehicles are significant contributors to the PM 2.5 nonattainment problem. Gasoline vehicles also contribute and were addressed by Ozone SIP Recommendations Multiple approaches will be needed to bring Northeast Ohio into attainment for PM 2.5

24 Conclusions, cont. NOACA has many roles it can play, as they relate to areas such as: Board Member CMAQ applications Prioritization of SIP recommendations in the Regional Transportation Investment Policy Public education and outreach programs Sharing of information on state and federal grants and incentives Sharing of Board Member anti-idling ordinances, salt minimization policies, diesel expertise, etc. 24

25 Questions? Amy M. Wainright, NOACA Pamela L. Davis, NOACA