DEPARTMENT: San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jennifer Herriott, MPH
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Update/Report on Ozone Attainment Master Plan
SUMMARY:
Briefing on the next steps to reach ozone attainment including an outline of the Ozone Attainment Master Plan
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On July 18, 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Bexar County in marginal nonattainment of federal ground-level ozone standards. EPA published the designation in the Federal Register on July 25, 2018, and the effective date was listed as September 24, 2018. Marginal nonattainment areas are those closest to meeting the standard and have fewer mandatory planning and control requirements at the local level. If the designated area does not reach the attainment standard within three years, the area will be moved to the Moderate classification, resulting in additional regulatory requirements.
Exceedance of ground-level ozone is a public health issue. If we are not able to lower our ground-level ozone levels to 70 by December 31, 2020, the local economy may be affected by project delays and additional permitting related to air pollution mitigation requirements that kick in as a result.
ISSUE:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a more stringent “health-based” air pollution standard of 70 parts per billion for ground level ozone on October 1, 2015, resulting in marginal nonattainment status for Bexar County as of September 24, 2018.
In response to this designation, the City of San Antonio has been working internally as well as with partner organizations such as the Alamo Area Council of Governments, CPS Energy and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to implement numerous pollution reduction measures, such as:
• City-wide mandatory and voluntary anti-idling regulations
• City-wide commuter trip reduction policies and programs
• Public information campaigns to promote behavior modifications
• Local ozone formation studies
The Ozone Attainment Master Plan, which is a compilation of actions being taken by industry, environmental advocacy organizations, government - including the City of San Antonio and other entities will be presented at this meeting.
ALTERNATIVES:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. This memo is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This briefing is for informational purposes only.