Transportation and Air Quality in the Treasure Valley

Treasure Valley Airshed Distance, topography, and weather.Distance, topography, and weather. Air pollution distributed throughout the entire airshed.Air pollution distributed throughout the entire airshed. Political boundaries are not air pollution boundaries.Political boundaries are not air pollution boundaries.

Brief History Historic Air Quality Problems Topography / Climatology Nonattainment for CO and PM10 Attainment / Maintenance Area New Pollutants of Concern

Clean Air Act Implications PM10 and CO Maintenance Area Conformity (Budget) Future Ozone or PM2.5 Non- Attainment?

CAA/Federal HWY Funds CAA sanctions Transportation Conformity

Carbon Monoxide Air Toxics NOx VOCs Small Particulate Matter Vehicles Pollute Carbon Monoxide is a colorless gas emitted from your vehicle’s tailpipe Small Particulate (PM2.5) is made up of direct emissions of fine particles and particles that form from gases that come directly from your vehicle Ozone is created by gases and vapors that are emitted by your vehicle and then formed in reactions that occur in strong sunlight and heat Toxic Air Pollutants – Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Formaldehyde, etc.

Source: Northern Ada County PM10 SIP Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request/1999 Emission Inventory

Volatile Organic Compounds Ozone industrial sources biogenic sources fuel sources Nitrogen Oxides transportation sources Ozone: Summer

Ozone Source: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Monitoring Data

Volatile Organic Compounds industrial sources biogenic sources fuel sources Nitrogen/Sulfur Oxides & Ammonia motor vehicles diesel fuel livestock Secondary PM chemically formed Primary PM directly emitted PM 2.5 : Winter/Fires

National Standards Cleaner Fuels Tailpipe standards

Ada County VMT (millions) Emissions (Tons)

NO X Reductions Due to Emissions Testing

AQ/Transportation Improvement Activities Clean Cities (Alternative Fuel Infrastructure) COMPASS Board Public Outreach / Alert Program Highway Message Boards Diesel Retrofit Anti-idling Interagency Consultation Process TV Air Quality Council

Upcoming Studies Ozone 350K ITD PM K ITD Air Toxics 500K EPA

The Treasure Valley Air Quality Council "...to protect, preserve, and, where necessary, improve the quality of air in the Treasure Valley while accommodating private, public and commercial interests."

The Council’s Responsibilities Compile all historical air quality studies in the Treasure Valley. Examine the air quality conditions in and around the Treasure Valley. Consult with the public and establish a non- voting citizens committee. Develop an air quality plan for the area and assist in implementation of that plan.

Responsibilities, cont. Conduct a public awareness campaign. Recommend the adoption of statutes, ordinances, policies and rules needed by governmental agencies to implement the plan. Assist local, state and federal agencies in the establishment of a multi-agency oversight capability to succeed the council. Council dissolved in 7 years.

AQ Bottomline PM10 and CO problems solved. Ozone and PM2.5 Pollutants of Concern. Ozone and PM2.5 complicated pollutants to understand and control. Proactive measures needed to protect Public Health and avoid future nonattainment.

The Recommendations “Treasure the Valley’s Air”: Enhanced Public Education on Air Quality and Establishment of Corporate Award OBD Vehicle Emission Testing in Ada and Canyon Counties Implement Stage 1 Vapor Recovery at Retail Gas Stations Uniform Ordinances for Local Air Quality Problems Regional Land Use, Planning and Zoning Regional Air Quality Data and Coordination

What’s Next? After the close of the public-comment period, the Council will integrate citizens’ recommendations and present a draft final plan by January 1, A public hearing will be held within 30 days of the draft final plan release. The plan will then be submitted for review and approval by the Legislature.

TVAQC Website

Potential Solutions Cleaner Fuels / AlternativeCleaner Fuels / Alternative Cleaner Tail Pipe StandardsCleaner Tail Pipe Standards Truck Stop ElectrificationTruck Stop Electrification Land Use Planning/CoordinationLand Use Planning/Coordination

Potential Solutions Stage 1 Vapor RecoveryStage 1 Vapor Recovery Enhanced Inspection ProgramEnhanced Inspection Program Anti-Idling OrdinancesAnti-Idling Ordinances Bus/Diesel Vehicle RetrofitsBus/Diesel Vehicle Retrofits Alternative Transit OptionsAlternative Transit Options

Transportation / AQ Summary Ozone and PM2.5 are pollutants of concern Transportation emissions are the largest pollution source New vehicles are getting cleaner BUT, More people, more cars, more miles traveled Stricter AQ Standards Proactive Measures to Avoid future problems

Questions?