HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9013INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
000. SUBJECT: Air Quality in Fort Worth
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No. 9013
February 10, 2009
Page 1 of 3
The following informal report is in response to questions raised by the City Council December 8,
2008, regarding the air quality in North Texas.
Tarrant, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Parker, Johnson, Ellis, Kaufman and Rockwall counties have
been designated in non - attainment of the federal Clean Air Act for ozone. Ozone is a colorless,
odorless gas that is formed through the photochemical reaction of volatile organic chemicals
(VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the heat of the day. Exposure to elevated levels of ozone
present is a public health concern for all, especially the young, elderly and those with respiratory
disease. The sources of these emissions include, but are not limited to, on- and non -road
transportation, stationary engines, industrial
boilers, industry and natural (biogenic) sources.
The amount of ozone formed in the North
Texas area is limited by the amount of NOx
available to react. The largest source of NOx in
this area is the on- and non -road transportation
sources.
The Federal Clean Air Act uses a health- based
8 -hour exposure standard of 85 parts per billion
(ppb) ozone to assess attainment (4t' highest
concentration in a 3 -year period). In 2010 this
standard will be further reduced to 75 ppb. As
illustrated in the associated graph, the DFW
1
DFW NONATTAINMENT AREA
8 -Hour Ozone Historical Trends
105
102 ,01
100 100 100
a
t9 06
<I
00 91
55 Current Attainment Goal-
,
00
75
1990- 1090- 2000- 2001- 2002• 2005- 2004- 1005- 2001 1.,.
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2000 2001 2000 2000
COM.<utlw ] -Y— ►.MOM
non - attainment area s historic average has been improving for the past 9 years with the design
value for the most recent reported compliance period (2006 -2008) being 91 ppb.
EPA approved the most recent State Implementation Plan (SIP) for reducing ozone
concentrations in the DFW area December 17, 2008. The SIP is the region's clean air plan and
outlines the roadmap the non - attainment region will take to reduce ozone forming pollutants in the
region by 88 tons per day (tpd). State and federal officials expect air quality in the area to meet
the federal standard by 2010. It is anticipated that a majority of the reductions will be realized
through the contributions of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) and the AirCheck
Texas programs. Additional NOx reductions will result from control requirements on heavy duty
and natural gas compressor engines, cement plants, power plants, and backup generators used
by business and industry in North Texas.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 9013
Successful implementation of the SIP will require the collaboration and cooperation of local
governments. Fort Worth has shown leadership over the past decade implementing programs
and policies that work to clean our air. Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Care for Cowtown Air employee trip reduction program
• Reduced energy use in City facilities
• Fort Worth clean fleet policy and alternate fuels program
• Green completion requirements for gas wells
• Renewable energy usage portfolio
• Transit oriented development/Mobility and Air Quality Plan
While North Texas air continues to improve, concern exists regarding future greenhouse gas and
hazardous air pollutant impacts due to activity in the Barnett Shale. At a joint meeting of City
Council and the Gas Drilling Task Force October 14, 2008, Al Armendariz, Ph.D., Research
Associate Professor at Southern Methodist University Department of Environmental and Civil
Engineering, presented draft findings regarding emissions from natural gas production in the
Barnett Shale area and opportunities for improvements. This report was finalized and released
end of January 2009.
According to Dr. Armendariz, Barnett Shale emissions from gas well drilling and completion,
compressor engine operation, condensate and oil tanks, production, processing and transmission
fugitives within the entire 21 county area comprising the shale play could impact all of North
Texas by a total average of 191 tpd, with peak summer emissions of 307 tpd. These emissions
result from the uncontrolled release of VOCs and methane. Dr. Armendariz and the Chief
Engineers Office of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) concede that these
emissions are thought not to affect the ozone non- attainment status. However, the quantified
emissions are considered greenhouse gases, which have been the source of increased
regulatory attention from the federal and state governments over the past 18 months.
In summary, information obtained from the EPA, TCEQ and Dr. Armendariz indicate that our
ozone non - attainment status is improving and with the SIP approval in December 2008, this area
is positioned for compliance by 2010. To continue leading North Texas toward its goal of
attainment, Fort Worth will need to consider the establishment an anti - idling ordinance, similar to
Tarrant County and the City of Dallas. The proposal would work to minimize the impact of
emissions from parked trucks and heavy duty equipment. This ordinance would affect not only
emissions from private operations but also those from equipment owned or operated by the City
in its services to the residents. A presentation on a proposed anti - idling ordinance is scheduled
for the February 24, 2008 Pre - Council Meeting. Consideration and adoption of proposed
Sustainable Development Guidelines, including green buildings guidelines, water conservation
programs and energy efficiency requirements, will work to reduce and minimize the impacts of
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 9013
As It To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 10, 2009
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Page 3 of 3
SUBJECT: Air Quality in Fort Worth
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development on air quality. Environmental Management Department will continue monitoring
federal air quality legislation and work with state and federal partners to identify programs that are
cost effective and show real improvements in ozone and greenhouse gas reduction arena.
If you have any questions regarding this topic, please contact Brian K. Boemer, CPM, CHMM,
Environmental Management Director at 817- 392 -8085.
Dale . Fissele PE.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
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