DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability and Metro Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas R. Melnick, AICP, CNU-A; Dr. Colleen Bridger
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
Air Quality - Non Attainment Status Update
SUMMARY:
Briefing on pending air quality status and the FY18 Air Quality Program
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a more stringent "health-based" air pollution standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb) (the prior standard was 75 ppb) 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.
ISSUE:
On June 6, 2017, the EPA sent a letter to Governors to inform them that the EPA was extending the deadline for promulgating initial area designations by one year (to June 2018) for the 2015 ozone federal air quality standard.
On August 2, 2017, the EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that it was withdrawing the one-year extension of the deadline for implementing initial non-attainment designations for the 2015 ozone federal air quality standard. Designations are to proceed as scheduled in October 2017. San Antonio will most likely be designated marginal non-attainment this Fall, as our most current air monitoring reading of 73 ppb exceeds the new federal standard of 70 ppb.
As a result of this revised timeline, the Office of Sustainability and Metro Health have initiated an analysis of the current air quality program and what additional programs, services and funding changes will be required for the City of San Antonio's FY18 air quality program. The Office of Sustainability and Metro Health will outline a list of air quality programs to be implemented in FY18 as well as initiatives to inform the community on the impacts of non attainment to the regional economy and public health.
If the EPA issues a nonattainment designation letter to Governo...
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