HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7969 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7969
c`A�E o December 12, 1995
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 1 of 2
' Subject: CLEAN AIR DAY
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presently classifies the Dallas/Fort Worth area and
associated counties as a moderate nonattainment area for ozone. The area is faced with a
deadline of November 15, 1996 in which to reduce the volume of ozone generated or be
reclassified to a higher level of nonattainment. This reclassification will be dependent on the
number of ozone exceedences that occur in 1996. Reclassification to a higher level could
impose sanctions on the area that would affect Fort Worth's economic development, highway
appropriations, and existing business activities. Any efforts expended before the November
15, 1996 deadline to control, or reduce, the amount of ozone generated would be beneficial.
The Department of Environmental Management, along with the Fort Worth Chamber of
Commerce, the North Texas Clean Air Coalition, North Central Texas Council of
Governments, and the American Serviceman's Association (ASA) is developing a "Clean Air
Day Program." The ASA has convinced the Governor's Office in Austin and the Texas
Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) of the potential value of the program.
Both (Governor's Office and TNRCC) have endorsed it and appear willing to incur media
advertising and promotion costs. In addition, they would like to expand the program to
include on-site representation and endorsement by automotive parts manufacturers and direct
communication by the TNRCC to the public on the state's proposed inspection/maintenance
(I/M) program.
The Clean Air Day Program will be conducted in two phases. Phase I will consist of an
education / information event to be held at various shopping malls throughout the
"nonattainment" region. It is anticipated that Phase I will be held in mid-January 1996.
Phase I will consist of tailpipe emission test demonstrations using actual state approved testing
equipment, educational handouts on ozone pollution, presentations by the TNRCC on the
upcoming I/M program, and other related activities.
Phase II of the program is tentatively scheduled for the March / April time period and will
consist of free vehicle tailpipe emission (out-of-cycle) testing for the public using the BAR-90
state approved testing system. Test equipment and labor will be furnished by the ASA. The
owners of vehicles that fail the emission test will be given a coupon for free tuneup labor
and/or parts at any ASA member garage. None of these activities will result in any costs to
the City of Fort Worth.
The next step is to negotiate with the TNRCC and the EPA for the establishment of a Mobile
Emission Reduction Credit (MERC) program for the area. Vehicle emission levels tested
before implementation of the state required program would be used as a baseline of vehicle
emission generation in the area. Continued participation by the ASA will provide a
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mechanism for reduced price vehicle repairs for those vehicles that fail the.,I"tv fail full
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER — XAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7969
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 12, 1995
Page 2 of 2
X Subject: CLEAN AIR DAY
implementation of the state's I/M program, subsequent testing (required by the state program)
of those vehicles should show a net reduction in emissions. This net reduction can be
"ban-ked" as credits and hopefully used as a trade-off against future ozone exceedences. The
elimination of ozone exceedences will maintain the area within our current classification, or
preferably reduce the area to attainment status. Obviously, many factors are required for this
to be successful. Some of the more salient issues are:
1. Meaningful level of public participation at the "Clean Air Day" events to
determine the public's acceptance and willingness to the idea,
2. Active involvement with the TNRCC and the EPA on the establishment of the
MERC program, to include, if,needed, negotiation by the City Officials of the
region with the EPA Director in Washington,
3. Extensive public communication during 1996 (up to June/July) to entice active
participation in "out-of-cycle" tailpipe emission testing, thus establishing the
baseline, and
4. A commitment by all to manage and monitor the program.
The Department of Environmental Management will actively pursue this effort with those
entities already involved and with the other municipalities in the "nonattainment" region.
Since this must be accomplished before mid-1996, time is of the essence. For further
information concerning this issue, please contact Dr. Edward Sierra, Director of Environmental
Management (871-8085),.
Bob Terrell
V City Manager
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS