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CLEAN AIR NEWSLINE

February 2007 Edition

In this issue:

 

Cleaner Fuel = Cleaner Air
Clean Air Agency supports new EPA rules to clean up Northwest gasoline

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency applauds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for recently issuing new federal rules to reduce hazardous air pollutants from mobile sources.

Among their provisions, the new Mobile Source Air Toxic regulations tighten national benzene content standards for gasoline. The Clean Air Agency and other northwest partners were very active in advocating for these rules, which will reduce the average benzene limit to 0.62 percent from 0.97 percent by 2011.

“Cleaner fuels equal cleaner air for the people of the Pacific Northwest,” says Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. “Northwest refineries currently have the highest benzene content in the country. The new EPA rules will significantly reduce benzene levels in our region, making them more consistent with those in other parts of the country and more protective of human health.”

Benzene is an air toxic and known carcinogen. It occurs naturally in petroleum, and is released into the air through evaporation and combustion. Refineries in the Northwest have the highest benzene content in the country because the crude oil received from Alaska has higher naturally-occurring levels of benzene.

The U.S. EPA estimates that a result of this rule, gasoline will have 38 percent less benzene overall.

“This rule is a significant improvement for the Northwest and other areas of the country that have disproportionately higher gasoline benzene content,” says McLerran. “It is also a ‘win’ for areas of the country with low benzene content, as they will continue to be low.”

For more about the rule, visit the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality at www.epa.gov/otaq/toxics.htm#regdocs .

 

Legislative Update: Clean Air/Clean Fuels for Washington

Working with a coalition of partners, the Clean Air Agency seeks to advance legislation that will promote economic development, protect climate and reduce air pollution from motor vehicles in Washington.

Among its provisions, the Clean Air/Clean Fuels bill (HB 1303) encourages the development of a major, in-state biofuels industry. Washington-produced fuels can save money for consumers while promoting a sustainable industry that provides good jobs and a new source of rural prosperity. Clean fuels and vehicles will also protect public health and our environment by reducing toxic air pollution such as diesel emissions and greenhouse gases, the pollution that causes global climate change.

If passed, the bill would bolster the production and use of in-state produced biofuels, allot funding to remove over 700 polluting diesel school buses, and set targets for state fleets to reduce their fossil fuel use.

Our partners include American Lung Association of Washington, Climate Solutions, the Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters.

More information about the bill is available online at
http://www.environmentalpriorities.org/cleanair/ .

 

Environmental Health Lecture: Biofuels

Wednesday, March 21, 6:30 p.m.
Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave (at Seneca St.)

Biofuels, which are derived from biological organisms, broadly include solid energy sources such as wood and coal which may be used for heating and cooking, as well as liquid resources such as bioethanol and biodiesel which are used as alternatives to petroleum-derived gasoline or diesel in motorized vehicles.

It’s expected that in 2007 biodiesel production in Washington will leap from 10 million to between 150 and 200 million gallons and ethanol use will grow from 40 to 300 million gallons.

David Kircher, manager of air resources for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, will join two other local experts to speak about the science of biofuels and the potential health, environmental and policy implications of biofuel use.  At the March 21 evening lecture, Kircher will focus on environmental health; Peter Moulton, coordinator of Climate Solutions’ Harvesting Clean Energy Program, on agriculture; and Tim Stearns, energy policy specialist with Washington Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, on public policy.

Advance tickets are $10/$15 at the door. Visit www.iceh.org or call 360-331-7904 for tickets and more information.

 

No Power, No Problem!
Hearth retailers offer special discounts on natural gas and propane stoves and fireplaces

Here’s an idea for staying warm while clearing the air next time the power goes out: switch to a natural gas or propane stove or fireplace insert!

Outdated wood stoves and improper wood burning during the December power outages caused serious air quality issues in our region (see the monthly air quality summary below).  So the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and the Northwest Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association have joined together on a special promotional campaign that includes hot deals on natural gas and propane hearth products.

They’re among the cleanest ways to heat your home. And, most don’t require electricity www.pscleanair.org/actions/woodstoves/gas.aspx .  So next time a big storm blows through, you can say “no power, no problem!”

Visit www.burningclean.com for a list of members in the region offering discounts and/or special financing. The Web site also offers tips on how to burn wood properly for maximum heat with minimum smoke if you choose a wood stove or fireplace.

 

Save the Date: "Faster Freight -- Cleaner Air" coming to the Puget Sound region

This spring the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, along with the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is hosting a “Faster Freight -- Cleaner Air” (FFCA) conference for the Puget Sound region.

Focusing on goods movement and freight mobility issues, this conference will address the growing demands for rail and trucking associated with port growth by focusing on regional infrastructure needs. The one-day summit on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, will also highlight the innovative programs, policies and technologies now being implemented in our region and provide a venue for ports in the Pacific Northwest to interact with technology providers, elected officials, environmental organizations and the community to develop together plans to improve efficiency and reduce the air quality impacts of the goods movement industry.

“Faster Freight – Cleaner Air Puget Sound” will take place at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle.  More information on the event and how to register is available online at www.ffcapugetsound.com .

 

Monthly air quality data summary: December*

December was a month of contrasts – damaging winds or stagnant weather with elevated levels of pollution.   For the month, there were only 5 days with air quality categorized as “Good,” the fewest number of “Good” days in a month for at least 14 months.  There were also 16 days in the “Moderate” category, 7 days in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” and 3 days in the “Unhealthy” categories.

December was most notably characterized by an unprecedented five consecutive days of damaging winds.  At SeaTac Airport, peak winds were recorded at 45 mph on the 11th, 35 mph on the 12th, 47 mph on the 13th, 60 mph on the 14th, and 69 mph on the 15th.  By the 15th, power was out for 1.5 million people in Western Washington and 13 people were killed as a result of falling trees, downed power lines, a house fire, drowning, and carbon monoxide poisoning from gasoline generators and grilling indoors.

Temperatures for the month, as recorded at Sea-Tac were 0.8 degrees above normal and rainfall 2.55 inches above normal.

For data summaries of air quality monitored throughout our four-county region, click to:
www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqsumm/06-12.aspx.

* Because of the time it takes to review data for quality assurance and process data for reports, our air quality discussions in each “Newsline” edition will be two months previous.  Thus, our report for this edition is for December 2006.

 

Announcements

We’ve moved!

Update your address book -- the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is now located at:

1904 Third Avenue, Suite 105
Seattle, WA  98101

Just a few blocks from our old location, our new office is in the Securities Building, on Stewart between Third and Fourth Avenues in downtown Seattle.

Our phone numbers remain the same.  For directions, visit  www.pscleanair.org/contact/address.aspx .

 

Public Hearing – March 22, 2007
The Clean Air Agency’s Board of Directors will conduct a public hearing on March 22, 2007 at 9:15 a.m. to consider changes to Regulation III, Section 4.03 (asbestos notification requirements). To view the proposed changes click here (PDF 0.1MB).  Note our new office address:  1904 3rd Ave. #105, Seattle, 98101.

 

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.