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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7010 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7010 �0 R� uvrx To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 19, 1985 Subject: AIR QUALITY ISSUES (Ozone Non-Attainment) /!73 In February, 1984, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified the State that the plan for ozone in Tarrant, Dallas, and El Paso Counties was determined to be "substantially" inadequate and called for a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision. Ozone levels must be reduced by controlling certain hydrocarbon compounds (volatile organic compounds or VOC) that may contribute to the formation of ozone. The State's revised plan must set forth control measures which provide for the degree of VOC reduction necessary to demonstrate attainment of the standard by December 31, 1987; it must be submitted to EPA no later than August, 1985, in order to avoid possible sanctions specified under the Clean Air Act. - A public hearing by the Texas Air Control Board on the proposed revisions to its rules and on the SIP will be held in the Council Chambers on Thursday, March 28, 1985, 8:30 p.m. Other hearings are scheduled in Houston, Dallas, and El Paso. A summary of the State's proposed revisions and the EPA's current position on this issue is provided below for your information. More detailed data will be placed in the Council Office for review. SUFI ARY OF PROPOSED REVISIONS Emission Reduction Requirements. Based upon procedures outlined by EPA guidelines, City-specific computer models were used to determine the amount of VOC emissions which must be reduced. As a consequence, the 1983 emissions inventory of 62,934 tons per year must be reduced by approximately 31,970 tons per year (50.8 percent) . TACB proposed revisions to the SIP, ozone control strategy, identifies VOC control measures amounting to only 38 percent at an estimated annual cost of $26 million dollars. This falls short of the 50.8 percent required to demonstrate attainment of the standard. Additional measures available, but not included in the revised plan, would cost an additional $38 million dollars to control the remaining 13 percent - a total cost of approximately $64 million dollars. TACB Proposed Ozone Control Measures . The following types of control measures were identified in the TACB Issue Papers for reducing VOC emissions: Automotive emission controls on new cars already mandated by the Federal Motor Vehicle Control Program. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7010 - p.2 001TIfit ok 10)?,- To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 19, 1985 -4 Subject: AIR QUALITY ISSUES (ozone Non-Attainment) 0 Implementation of an automobile inspections and maintenance (I/M) program in both Tarrant and Dallas Counties such as instituted in 1984 in Harris County. The EPA has stated that this program will be required. 0 Additional controls on certain industrial and commercial sources, now being implemented in Harris County, such as: process vents, dry cleaning, degreasing, and graphic arts. 0 Increased controls on the refining, storage, transportation, and marketing of gasoline. 0 Implementation of transportation control measures (TCM) such as public transit improvements, ride-sharing programs, traffic flow improvements, staggered work hours and signal improvements . These programs will be implemented regardless of air quality planning requirements. 0 Changes in Reid vapor pressure of marketed gasoline in 11 counties. EPA CURRENT POSITION REGARDING THE -STATES PROPOSED PIAN 0 In order for EPA to fully approve a State Implementation Plan, it must demonstrate that the Ambient Air Quality Standard will be achieved. This is a requirement of the Clean Air Act. Since the proposed ozone plan for Tarrant and Dallas Counties does not demonstrate attainment of the ambient standard, EPA cannot grant full approval of these plans. 0 The revisions, as currently proposed, do provide a basis for EPA to avoid the imposition of Clean Air Act Sanctions in Texas at this time. 0 The State will need to include in the plan a more specific commitment and schedule to seriously consider the adoption of additional control measures. Control measures to be considered would include, at a minimum: - Additional stationary source controls - Enhancement of he proposed Parameter Inspection Program - Additional transportation control measures Stage 11 vapor recovery at service stations -ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7010 0 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 19, 1985 �1 UD11y Subject: AIR QUALITY ISSUES (ozone Non-Attainment) Addition of tailpipe inspections - chemical analysis (tailpipe vehicle maintenance and inspection I/M) In the absence of an approved SIP, a construction "offset" policy is and will be in place for "major industrial" sources. Additional information will be provided upon request . 6&--'Douglas Harman City Manager DH:kcnn ?P111 -ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS