DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas Melnick, Chief Sustainability Officer, AICP, CNU-A
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
Air Quality Briefing
SUMMARY:
Briefing on the updated EPA air quality ozone standard and an overview of initial recommended policies and programs for implementation
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will release a more stringent "health-based" air pollution standard on October 1, 2015, potentially impacting San Antonio's air quality attainment status. Air quality is a significant priority for City Council, as it has an impact on our community's public and economic health. The EPA will update its air quality standards for ground-level ozone in response to a careful examination of thousands of studies showing that the 75 ppb standard set in 2008 was not protective enough of public health. A stricter standard means additional regulations for businesses that plan to expand or are potentially relocating to San Antonio. Additionally, on October 9, 2013, Councilman Ray Lopez, District 6, issued a Council Consideration Request (CCR) for a comprehensive review of the City's air quality efforts to ultimately develop and adopt a City of San Antonio air quality strategic plan.
The City of San Antonio is evaluating various opportunities to reduce air pollution.
Office of Sustainability FY 2016 Proposed Initiatives
The Office of Sustainability is coordinating with multiple City departments, the Alamo Area Council of Governments and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to examine and proactively implement a suite of pollution reduction measures based on research from consultants (Environ). It is the intent of the Office of Sustainability to develop specific policy and regulatory recommendations for City Council consideration and adoption in FY 2016. These control measure include:
* City-wide anti-idling regulations
* City-wid...
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