DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas Melnick, Chief Sustainability Officer AICP CNU-A
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Air Quality Control Strategies Update and Heavy Duty Vehicle Idling Limitations Policy
SUMMARY:
A briefing on air quality control strategies and an overview of a proposed vehicle idling limitations ordinance.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a more stringent "health-based" air pollution standard of 70 parts per billion on October 1, 2015 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. 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 a City of San Antonio air quality strategic plan.
ISSUE:
The Office of Sustainability staff has evaluated various opportunities to reduce air pollution by coordinating with multiple City departments, the Alamo Area Council of Governments and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Based on research from consultants (Environ), as well as national best practices, the Office of Sustainability is examining implementation of a suite of pollution reduction measures for City Council consideration such as:
* Heavy duty vehicle idling limitations
* City-wide commuter trip reduction policies and programs
* Voluntary Industrial NOx Reductions
* Voluntary Inspection/Maintenance Programs
* Internal municipal policies focusing on city fleet and employee alternative commuting
The first near-term strategy is a city-wide ordinance limiting the idling of heavy duty vehicles to five consecutive minutes within the City of San Antonio jurisdiction. These idling limits will lower nitrogen oxide emissions and othe...
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