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Forecast Discussion
Current Air Quality Data and Reports |
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CLEAN AIR NEWSLINE
February 2008 Edition
In this issue:
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Puget Sound Wood Stove Replacement Programs extended two months
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Public comment on proposed outdoor burning rule change ends Feb. 28
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Permit open for comment and public hearing
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Employment opportunities
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Master Home Environmentalist program
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Air Quality & Health Workshop
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2008 National Air Quality Conferences
Puget Sound Wood Stove Replacement Programs extended until April 30
Good news! The Puget Sound Wood Stove Replacement Programs offered in Marysville, Tacoma and certain Pierce County communities have been extended two more months to April 30, 2008.
These programs provide financial incentives for people who have pre-1995 wood stoves or fireplace inserts and are interested in replacing outdated appliances with new, cleaner heating technology.
The goal of the program is to combat wintertime air pollution. Wood smoke from home heating contributes to fine particle pollution which is linked to serious health problems for children, the elderly and people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The incentives, which range in value from $250 to $750, are provided to homeowners in the form of a coupon. Residents living in targeted ZIP codes can apply. The discount available is based on the type of new appliance selected; gas and electric appliances provide the highest incentive because they are the cleanest heating, least polluting devices. Additionally, half the program funds for the Tacoma/Pierce County program are set aside for low-income households, allowing $2,500 per household for natural gas, propane, pellet, or electric appliances (stoves, inserts, natural gas furnaces, or electric heat pumps).
Of the 577 applicants who have qualified for the replacement programs, 61 Marysville residents and 84 residents of Tacoma and specific Pierce County communities have redeemed their coupons for new heating devices. With money still remaining, the Washington Department of Ecology, who provided most of the grant funds, has allowed an extension so the program will continue until April 30, 2008 -- unless the funds run out before then.
As long as funds remain, people who are currently holding coupons have until this new date to use the discount towards the purchase of a new stove, fireplace insert or whole-house heating option like a gas furnace or high-efficiency electric heat pump. Residents who have not yet applied can still do so. The new heating device needs to be selected and ordered by April 30 and installed by May 31, 2008.
Details are available at www.pscleanair.org/woodstove.replacement or by calling 1-888-859-5799.
Northwest Ports adopt Clean Air Strategy
Ports play a vital role in our Pacific Northwest economy, bringing commerce, tourism, jobs and business opportunities. Many port-related activities, however, generate diesel exhaust and greenhouse gases, which impact our health and environment. With port activity in the Northwest expected to increase significantly over the next few years, it's important to pair this growth with steps to reduce emissions, ensuring the growth is sustainable and protective of human health.
In January, the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma Commissions signaled their intention to do just that, with their adoption of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. Working together and across international borders with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in British Columbia, the ports aim to substantially reduce diesel emissions and greenhouse gases from port-related activities. The strategy sets short-term (by 2010) and long-term (by 2015) emission reduction goals for five sources of maritime pollution: ocean-going vessels, cargo-handling equipment, rail, trucks and vehicles, and harbor vessels. Ways the ports can meet these goals include switching to cleaner fuels, replacing older engines with cleaner engines, and expanding shore-power infrastructure so more ships can plug in, rather than run their engines, while at dock.
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency commends the ports for their commitment to healthy air quality and is proud to be a partner in this collaborative effort.
The complete Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy can be downloaded at www.maritimeairforum.org .
The development of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy was led by the ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, British Columbia in partnership with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Environment Canada, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Are your lungs exhausted? Think fresh!
Exhaust from motor vehicles contributes nearly 70 percent of our region’s air pollution and close to 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
Do your lungs a favor -- think fresh with these tips to protect our air and climate:
- Think about driving less. On average, a single occupancy vehicle emits roughly one pound of climate polluting carbon dioxide (CO2) per mile traveled. Reducing miles traveled is one of the most important actions we can take to protect air quality.
- Think oil and filter changes. A well-maintained car pollutes less and gets better mileage. Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune can improve its gas mileage by an average of four percent.
- Think about idling less. Idling = zero miles per gallon. Stop wasting fuel – and your money! Turn the key and be idle-free.
- Think about a “cleaner” vehicle. Cleaner vehicles = cleaner air. Choose the most fuel efficient vehicle possible to meet your needs.
For more ways to “think fresh” and to make a difference for clean and healthy air, visit www.pscleanair.org/thinkfresh .
Public comment on proposed outdoor burning rule change ends Feb. 28
Anyone wishing to comment on the agency’s proposed outdoor burning rule change must do so no later than Thursday, Feb. 28, when the public comment period will end.
Comments can be made by e-mail at outdoorburningcomments@pscleanair.org ; by regular mail addressed to Lynn Sykes, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, 1904 Third Ave., Suite 105, Seattle, WA 98101; or in person at a public hearing before the agency’s Board of Directors on Feb. 28, 9:15 a.m. in the Seattle Public Library’s Microsoft Auditorium, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle.
The agency’s proposed rule change would prohibit all burning of land clearing debris beginning July 1, 2008 and residential yard waste beginning July 1, 2010 in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Both of these types of fires are already prohibited under state law inside incorporated cities and urban growth areas. However, agency staff are recommending to the Board of Directors that land cleaning burning be banned as initially proposed beginning July 1, 2008, but that banning of residential yard debris be deferred pending more work with solid waste and other officials on alternatives.
More information on the proposed rule change can be found at www.pscleanair.org/actions/outdoorfires/rule_change.aspx .
Monthly air quality data summary: December*
December’s air quality was in the "Good" category for 17 days, in the "Moderate" category for 13 days, and in the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category for one day.
On December 9, a Stage One Burn Ban was called for King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. A stable weather pattern with very light winds had limited the mixing of pollutants that were being generated in communities where wood burning for home heating is common. Air pollution levels rose above the federal standard for fine particle pollution (PM2.5). The ban was cancelled December 11 after weather conditions led to an improvement in air quality.
For the month, precipitation was 3.46 inches above normal levels in the Puget Sound region, with SeaTac Airport receiving 9.08 inches of rainfall. The airport average monthly temperature of 39.8 degrees F was 0.9 degrees below normal for December with a maximum temperature of 59 degrees F on the 3rd. A minimum temperature of 28 degrees F occurred on the 8th and the 9th.
For data summaries of air quality monitored throughout our four-county region, click to www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqsumm/07-12.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 2007.
Announcements
Permit open for comment
The following Puget Sound Clean Air Agency permit is now open for public comment:
Cedar Grove Composting, Inc., Permit #9681 (Notice of Construction for Everett
composting operations)
Comment period: Feb. 11 to March 26, 2008
Additionally, a public hearing will be held on this proposal:
7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2008
Snohomish County PUD, Commission Meeting Room
2320 California Street in Everett
For details about the permit or how to submit comments, click to www.pscleanair.org/announce/permits/openpermits.aspx#cedar . Oral or written comments may be submitted at the hearing, or via e-mail or US mail until March 26, 2008. All comments received during the comment period and during the public hearing will become part of the public record. Once the Clean Air Agency has reviewed and responded to the comments from the public, final action will be taken on the proposed Order, including any revisions resulting from the comments received.
To receive notice about permitting; proposed Orders of Approval, Regulatory Orders, Variances and Operating Permits; hearings on those actions; extensions of comment periods; and final actions; simply sign up or change your profile to receive e-mail notification at www.pscleanair.org/news/agencynews.aspx .
Employment Opportunities: Agency Finance Manger and Paralegal
We are looking for an experienced Finance Manager to provide financial leadership, direct the agency’s financial resources and staff and manage our accounting systems in accordance with best practices for local government. Job description and application instructions can be found at www.pscleanair.org/about/documents/Finance_Manager_01-08.pdf .
The agency is also seeking a paralegal to work as part of the legal department team and provide general and legal support to General Counsel. Job description and application instructions can be found at www.pscleanair.org/about/documents/Paralegal_Posting_02_05_2008.pdf .
Volunteers wanted for indoor air quality Master Home Environmentalist program
The American Lung Association of Washington is now accepting applications for the Master Home Environmentalist Spring 2008 Volunteer Training for both Seattle and Pierce County.
For the Seattle-area program, classes will be held March 11 through May 13 at the American Lung Association’s downtown Seattle office. This free 35-hour training meets Tuesdays evenings and two Saturdays. More information and training applications can be found at www.alaw.org/air_quality/master_home_environmentalist/home_environmentalist_training.html .
The Pierce County program, in cooperation with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, offers two half-day volunteer training sessions on Saturdays, March 8 and March 15. Space is limited; call 253.798.2954 to register.
Air Quality & Health Workshop
Join the British Columbia Lung Association and a distinguished panel
of speakers for the 5th Annual Air Quality & Health Workshop on March
28 in Vancouver, BC. With presentations and discussions on a variety
of air quality issues, this workshop will provide air quality and public
health professionals with the results of the Border Air Quality Studies and
their applications to air quality management and protecting public health. Registration
information can be found at www.bc.lung.ca/airquality/airquality_workshop2008.html .
2008 National Air Quality Conferences to be held in Portland in April
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Association of Clean Air Agencies are co-sponsoring this year's National Air Quality Conferences, being held April 6 - 9, in Portland, Oregon.
Air quality professionals from federal, state, local and tribal air pollution organizations; metropolitan and regional planning organizations; environmental and research organizations; and industry representatives are encouraged to participate to learn the latest information on air quality forecasting, mapping, monitoring, air quality and your health, and innovative outreach programs.
The conferences offer three tracks:
• Air Quality Forecasting and Mapping
• Ambient Air Monitoring
• Communicating Air Quality and Communities in Motion
Agenda and registration information can be found at http://www2.ergweb.com/projects/conferences/airquality/2008/register-air08.htm .
About the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency serves the people of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. We work together to clean the air we breathe and protect our climate through education, incentives and enforcement. To learn more about our work, and how you can be a part of it, too, 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 this newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe, you can do so at www.pscleanair.org/news/agencynews.aspx . Be sure to select Clean Air Newsline to be added to the e-mailing list.