Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
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CLEAN AIR NEWSLINE

January 2006 Edition

In this issue:

 

So how was our air quality?

Measuring air pollution is a significant part of our agency’s operation so we want to share summaries and highlights with you.  Look for an overview of our monthly air quality summary beginning with this newsletter edition.

However, due to the time it takes to review monitoring data for quality assurance, these reports represent data from two months earlier.  You can always visit our web site for today and tomorrow’s “air quality forecast” and to check “air quality right now.”  To determine if a burn ban is in effect, go straight to our homepage at www.pscleanair.org or phone 1-800-595-4341.

November:  The most notable feature affecting our air quality in November was stagnant weather during the last half of the month.  Calm to light winds combined with a temperature inversion trapped air pollutants in the lower atmosphere and caused wood smoke built up in residential areas. Although pollution levels were not high enough to call a mandatory burn ban, these conditions prompted TV meteorologist to raise the awareness of the public and ask that people limit their burning until the weather changed.  The stagnant weather pattern also resulted in 16 days of only “Moderate” air quality and one day of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”

For November’s weather data summary plus summaries of air quality monitored throughout our four-county jurisdiction, click to http://www.pscleanair.org/airq/reports.aspx .

 

EPA Proposes Stronger Standards for Particle Pollution

To further improve public health across the country, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed in December new pollution standards for fine particulate matter (soot).

The proposed standards would lower the daily exposure level to fine particulate matter to 35 micrograms per cubic meter – significantly lower than the existing daily standard of 65 micrograms per cubic meter. In layman terms, this means tighter restrictions on the amount of pollution in the air. Tighter restrictions, in turn, would result in improved air quality for all.

Read how the Puget Sound area might be impacted and how to comment on the rules at http://www.pscleanair.org/news/newsroom/releases/2005/12_22_EPA.aspx

 

Look for clean-diesel projects in your area

The agency’s Diesel Solutions Program, launched in 2001, has many projects under way with partners all across our four-county region to clean up diesel exhaust from sources as diverse as garbage trucks, ferries and airport ground equipment.  In addition, many area school districts are currently participating in the Washington State Clean School Bus Program, with more to come.

Progress reports are generally updated quarterly on our Web site, so we’ll carry this reminder for you to look for projects in your area.  Check it out at http://www.pscleanair.org/programs/dieselsolutions/ds_project_status.pdf .  And be sure to let us know if you have any questions about the Diesel Solutions program.

 

Home-heating relief for low-income families

High home-heating costs have put a strain on most family’s budgets this year, especially given the rapidly rising costs of oil and natural gas.  But for many low-income families, the strain is especially severe.

Thanks to a bipartisan bill introduced and unanimously passed in the first week of the 2006 Washington state legislative session, an additional $7.6 million in emergency aid has been added to the coffers of our state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Sponsors of the legislation estimate that the added funds will help approximately 14,000 more households with energy assistance and 350 homes will be winterized.

LIHEAP is a federally funded block grant with a statewide network of 27 community-based nonprofit organizations and local government offices that provide energy and weatherization services.  To find how where to apply, visit http://www.liheapwa.org/Info/WhereToApply.htm and click on your county.

To learn more about the low-income energy assistance program, click to http://www.liheapwa.org/Factsheet/Factsheet.htm .

 

About the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

The mission of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is to ensure that people in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties have clean, healthy air to breathe. Our job is to provide air quality management services on behalf of cities and counties for their citizens. We do this by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality, and educating people and businesses about clean-air choices. To learn more about our work, visit us at www.pscleanair.org .

 

About the Clean Air Newsline

Clean Air Newsline is a monthly electronic newsletter to provide air quality information to the residents of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Subscribers receive the latest on air quality news, trends and projects that affect our local communities and the air we breathe. Feel free to pass the information along to others.

We also use the Newsline as needed to send timely and important messages about burn bans, Smog Watches and early calls to action when air quality deteriorates.

If you would like to subscribe, you can do so at http://www.pscleanair.org/news/agencynews.aspx . Be sure to select Clean Air Newsline to be added to the e-mailing list.