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 Governor Abbot on October 1, 2017, nonattainment for San Antonio and any other designated areas will take effect February 2018. Staff expects the designation to be in the Marginal Classification, which has the following requirements.
• Completion of an Emissions Inventory - a pollution emissions inventory is developed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
• Collection of Emissions Statements - requires annual reporting of pollution emissions by area businesses to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
• Processing of New Source Review Permits - Air permitting for pollution emitting businesses planning to expand or relocate to San Antonio is conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and
• Demonstrating Transportation Conformity - the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization evaluates future transportation projects to ensure they do not cause further harm to air quality
The City staff will continue to collaborate with Federal, State and local entities to evaluate opportunities and implement local policies to reduce air pollution.
ALTERNATIVES:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This briefing covers general air quality policy only and does not have a fiscal impact on operations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval to present to B Session in October. City staff will continue to provide updates to the Community Health and Equity Committee for guidance on the implementation of air quality policy and regulatory recommendations.