CLEAN AIR COUNTS CAMPAIGN FOR CLEAN AIR AND DEVELOPMENT

Who We Are  Northeastern Illinois regional initiative.  Partners include: Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, US EPA – Region 5, City of Chicago, and Illinois EPA.  Funded in part through grants from private foundations.  Outreach contracted through regional non-profit organizations. –LEED Council, Delta Institute, Waste Management Research Center, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Openlands

Campaign Goals  Achieve better air quality while increasing economic development.  Reduce VOC and NOx emissions by 5 tons per day.  Evaluate how target audiences respond to voluntary strategies.  Quantify results of voluntary implementation.

Why Voluntary Strategies?  The most significant sources are often difficult to regulate.  Requires education of and buy-in by stakeholders necessary to create systemic behavioral change.  Cost-effective approach to emission reductions.

Cost of VOC Emission Reduction Strategies (5 tons/day)

Campaign Structure  Business and public outreach coordinated through demonstration corridors.  Outreach to area municipalities working through City of Chicago and Councils of Government.  Sector specific pollution prevention.  Technical assistance.

Benefits to Participation  Grant opportunities to area municipalities.  Technical assistance to implement strategies.  Access to national experts.  Pollution prevention, architectural, and energy efficiency assessments.  Public recognition.

Lessons Learned  Define target audience: –Geographically –Sector specific  Focus on a few strategies.  Provide implementation assistance.  To see results, outreach takes time and significant levels of recruitment.

Successful Implementation  Develop a core of program stakeholders: –Business champions –Government or political representative  Work with organizations well respected in the business community.  Education is the cornerstone of success.

Special Thanks to:  Senator Durbin and Congressman Kirk  Chicago Community Trust  Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation  Grand Victoria Foundation  Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation  John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

for further information: Kate Agasie Director, Clean Air Initiatives Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (312)