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CLEAN AIR NEWSLINE

April 2007 Edition

In this issue:

 

Comprehensive study on maritime air emissions released

This month the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and other partners of the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum released a major study identifying and measuring air pollution from maritime-related activities.

Nearly two years in the making, the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory is unprecedented in scope and includes emissions from cargo and cruise ships, ferries, trains, cargo handling equipment, trucks and other maritime sources.  It measures criteria pollutants and precursors (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter), diesel particulate matter, and is also the first maritime emissions inventory in the United States to include greenhouse gases.

The inventory was jointly produced by members of the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum and provides the most complete picture to date of maritime pollution in the region. Review and assessment of this data will enable the maritime community to better design and implement cost-effective, fact-based air pollution control strategies to help maintain air quality standards, minimize health risks and protect the environment.

The report, executive summary and overview are available for download at www.maritimeairforum.org .

 

Think Fresh –
Think about what YOU can do to clear the air

Many local transit buses in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties are sporting ad banners encouraging everyone to “Think Fresh” about their daily activities and how they impact – positively and negatively – our local air quality and climate.

The campaign, with similar messages on local radio, asks people to think about idling less while driving, and to think about switching their fireplace or woodstove to a cleaner-burning gas appliance.  Other messages are in the works focusing on air- and climate-friendly transportation choices as well ways to create a clean and efficient home.

We invite you to “think fresh” and visit www.pscleanair.org/thinkfresh/default.aspx for ways you can make a difference for clean and healthy air.

 

Test your "AQ" IQ for Air Quality Awareness Week

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service urge everyone to "Be Air Aware" during Air Quality Awareness Week, April 30 through May 4, 2007.

To raise awareness of air quality challenges in our region, the Clean Air Agency has put together this quick air quality ("AQ") quiz.

1. What percentage of greenhouse gas pollution in our region comes from transportation?
            Get the answer at www.pscleanair.org/actions/vehicles/vehicle.aspx

2. How much could you save a year in energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions by swapping out your five most frequently-used incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents?
            Get the answer at www.pscleanair.org/actions/energy/default.aspx

3.  What's your mileage when you idle your engine?
             Get the answer at www.pscleanair.org/actions/vehicles/noidle.aspx

4.  Is it ever legal to burn yard waste or debris if you live in an urban area?
            Get the answer at www.pscleanair.org/actions/outdoorfires/law.aspx

5.  Using a gas-powered lawnmower for an hour emits the same pollution as driving a car how far?
            Get the answer at www.pscleanair.org/actions/yardcare/mowing.aspx

To stay “Air Aware,” visit www.pscleanair.org regularly to see today and tomorrow’s air-quality forecast, for tips and information about air quality and climate protection issues, and to determine what YOU can do to help protect the air we all share.

 

May 2007 is National Bike Month -- Celebrating 50 years

What better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of National Bike Month in May than to ride your bike?  It doesn’t have to be as adventurous as commuting to work.  You can start with a simple ride to your local grocery store, post office or drug store.  Think about what other short trips you can take on your bike instead of in your car.

Did you know that short motor vehicle trips cause more pollution than long trips?  That’s because when a car is first started, the catalytic converter does not function well during the first few miles of driving, a.k.a. “cold start.”  And, according to the National Personal Transportation Survey, 40 percent of all trips are two miles or less, and two-thirds are five miles or less.  By riding your bicycle to run your nearby errands, you’ll produce zero emissions, thus reducing vehicle pollution.  Plus, it’s fun and a great form of exercise.

So, for your next errand, consider grabbing your bike helmet instead of your car keys.  And maybe as you get more comfortable, you can try commuting to work to celebrate Bike-to-Work Day on May 18th. 

For more on alternatives to driving, including links to bicycling resources, visit www.pscleanair.org/actions/vehicles/transportation.aspx .

 

Make yours an air-friendly mower

Northwest Natural Yard Days, running through May 15, includes rebates on electric and push mowers at local retailers.  Using such clean-powered rather than gas-powered equipment benefits our air, water and land.  You likely know all of that, but do you know the rest of the story?  For a fresh perspective on Yard Days, here's a true story (albeit comprised of multiple experiences) from Clean Air Agency staffer Richard Wisti.

Journal entry - Saturday, 3 p.m. - Newfound appreciation for my cordless mower

The weather looked great outside so I decided to mow the lawn.  It wasn't an original idea -- my good friend and neighbor Tom had arrived at the same decision.  He was kneeling over his mower, cover off and tools scattered around.  I waved and called out a greeting across the hedge.  I asked if he'd had any luck with the fuel line problem on his high-end, self-propelled mower.  He shook his head and called back "no, it looks bad; I may have to take it to the shop.  Looks like I'll miss out mowing again today".  I wished him good luck and unplugged my cordless electric mulching mower from the garage outlet.

As I started to wheel it out to the front yard, I noticed my other neighbor Jan.  She was violently yanking on the starting rope of her old mower.  She seemed very focused, and more than a bit frustrated, so I left her alone.  I pulled back the safety handle on my mower, moved the start lever forward, and with a click my mower whirred quietly to its full power of 5hp.  I set out on the first section of my front yard.  In the meantime, announced by a billowing cloud of smoke, it was obvious Jan finally had success getting hers started.  The old mower her dad had given her chugged, spat, sputtered and popped to life.  I hoped I would be done well before she had a chance to fill up the entire cul de sac with exhaust.

Fifteen minutes later I was done.  Thankfully the wind had blown Jan's smoke the other way; my mower, zero exhaust.  Now when I say done, I mean completely done.  Thanks to the ultra-sharp mulching blade, ultra-fine clippings settled to the roots to feed my grass so there was nothing to rake.  I'd saved myself two jobs, raking AND fertilizing -- the clippings would perform that function nicely, adding their nutrients right back into the soil.  Pleased with a job well done and an environment protected, I pulled the mower back into the garage and plugged it back in for recharging.  As I reached to close the garage door, I saw Jan squinting through the smoke and coughing as she fought to mow her lawn.  I wished Jan and Tom had taken me up on the electric mower sale I told them about during last year's Northwest Natural Yard Days.

Time is almost up for Yard Days 2007!  Sales end May 15.  Find a retailer near you at www.yarddays.com .  For other clean-air yard care ideas, visit www.pscleanair.org/actions/yardcare/default.aspx .

 

Monthly air quality data summary: February*

The frequency of days with good air quality improved in February compared to earlier winter months.  For the month, there were 15 days in the "Good" category compared to 10 in January and only five in December.  February also had 10 days in the "Moderate" category and only three days in "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups."  No burn bans were called in February.

The most notable weather feature for the month was an unexpected heavy snowfall on the 28th with up to 10 inches in many areas north and east of Seattle.  Seattle and areas south and west saw no snow.

Average temperature for the month as recorded at SeaTac was 43.6 degrees F, 0.3 degrees above normal.  Precipitation totaled 3.38 inches, 0.8 inches below normal – nearly a third of the monthly total fell on February 19 and 20.  This was the first month since last October to receive less than normal rainfall.

For data summaries of air quality monitored throughout our four-county region, click to www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqsumm/07-02.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 February 2007.

 

Announcements

May 8: EPA hearing on proposed "Clean Air Locomotive and Marine Diesel Rule"

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a hearing in Seattle on Tuesday, May 8 to take public testimony on proposed new national regulations for inland marine engines and locomotives. The Clean Air Locomotive and Marine Diesel Rule would impose more stringent exhaust emission standards for locomotives and marine diesel engines, excluding foreign flagged ocean-going vessels. If implemented, the new standards would result in significant reductions in particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, benefiting the health and well-being of Puget Sound region communities, environment and economy. 

Where: The Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, 17620 International Boulevard, Seattle.
When: The hearing begins at 10 a.m. and will continue until everyone has a chance to speak.
How: If you would like to present testimony at the public hearing, the EPA requests that you notify, in advance, John Mueller, U.S. EPA, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Assessment and Standards Division.
Telephone number: (734) 214-4275; fax number: (734) 214-4816; email address: Mueller.John@epa.gov

For more information:

 

May 16:  Faster Freight -- Cleaner Air Puget Sound

Going fast! Space is limited for this one-day summit focusing on goods movement, freight mobility and air quality issues, so if you haven't yet registered, do so today. This event will sell out soon.
Hosted by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Washington State Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this event takes place on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle.  The agenda and registration information are available online at www.ffcapugetsound.com .

5th Annual NW Biodiesel Forum -- Choose your fuel, change the future

What's all the excitement about biofuels and how can they help us with clean air?  Learn from the experts at the 5th Annual NW Biodiesel Forum this Sunday, May 6th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion. Admission is FREE.

Speaker panels will include discussions about "getting around green”; peak oil and global warming; alternative fuels and the latest biodiesel developments in the Northwest. There will also be interactive displays to learn the basics on biodiesel; its uses for home heating, marine and other applications; make-it-yourself home brewing; and a special activity area for kids.  For complete details and a schedule of events, go to www.nwbiodiesel.org .  To learn more about the air-quality benefits of biodiesel use, click to www.pscleanair.org/programs/dieselsolutions/fuels/biodiesel_fact_sheet.pdf .

 

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.