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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/28/2007Community Planning and Environmental Services �� Natural Resources Department City of Fort Collins MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 200 WEST MOUNTAIN AVE. Tuesday, August 28, 2007 For Reference: Eric Levine, Chair 493-6341 David Roy, Council Liaison 407-7393 Brian Woodruff, Staff Liaison 221-6604 Board Members Present Jeff Engell, Nancy York, Dale Adamy, Eric Levine, Greg McMaster, Denny Georg, Kip Carrico, Katrina Windborn, Dave Dietrich Board Members Absent Staff Present Natural Resources Department: Brian Woodruff, Alexis Hmielak Guests None The meeting was called to order at 5:39 pm. APPROVE DULY MINUTES Board members made the following corrections to the July 24, 2007 minutes; McMaster — Pg 4 —...policy needs to be "reviewed" not rescinded. Levine — Page 6 —..."Gary" Thomas — not Lary Thomas, Page 7 —...Under comment on climate task force should be VMP — not DMP. York — Page 8 - ... "conservation" rather than vegetation. Dietrich — Page 1 — He did attend the meeting, but was not listed. Carrico — Page 7, middle of page ... "technical measures" not exclusions; "achieving it", not eventually viewing it; `Brendal group" — not parental group. Adamy — Page 8 — "The committee structure" quote not his — use "anonymous" Dietrich moved and McMaster seconded and the minutes of July 24, 2007 meeting were unanimously approved. Public Comment • No public present. OZONE NON -ATTAINMENT — WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Lucinda Smith presented a Powerpoint presentation of the 2007 summer ozone season update. 200 West Mountain Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6600 Major points of this presentation were: • This past summer, efforts to reduce ozone in Fort Collins were to raise awareness of VOC emissions. Outreach efforts to reduce ozone were also assisted by hiring a summer intern, Adrian Palmer. • In the 8-hour deferred area, which included Denver Metro/Boulder and southern Latimer and SE Weld County, the majority of VOCs came from flash emissions from oil and gas wells. As a result of the Ozone Action Plan, state regulations were passed to put controls on flash emissions at end of 2005 and at end of 2006 the state re -surveyed and discovered all sources weren't able to comply, and therefore passed more stringent restrictions on the oil and gas industry. • Other categories of VOC emissions are — On -Road Vehicles, Area Sources such as painting, automotive, household products, cosmetics, Point Sources such as industry and gas stations, and Non -Road Sources such as lawn and garden equipment. • Lawnmower rebate program was reinstated. If a person bought a push or electric mower from 4 stores in town, they got a $15 rebate from the city and a $10 in-store coupon . If they recycled the old gasoline lawnmower at Colorado Iron and Metal, they got an additional $15. Participation was about the same as last year. • This year we issued 107 rebates costing us $2000. Most rebates were to buy electric mowers and 33 of those people recycled the old gas mowers. • Cost was negligible with $0 paid advertising and the only advertising being at the stores. • Discussion ensued about how many lawnmowers are estimated to be in Fort Collins, which has 55,000 households, and what kind of air quality impact they would have. It was suggested to add this to the next air quality survey. Lucinda will follow up on this. • Billboards that said "Tight is all right" were placed at 6 locations during June and July to ask citizens to be sure their gas caps are right, especially on hot days, to help them save money from escaping gas and reduce ozone emissions from gas fumes. • "Stop at the Click" posters and stickers were placed in several gas stations and city buildings, plus some Climate Wise partners had posters at their offices. • Did a much more comprehensive print ad campaign of 10 ads between the weekly publications, Rocky Mountain Chronicle and the Weekly. Ads were "Tight is Alright", "Stop at the Click" and low VOC paint. We discovered from paint retailers that most flat latex paint is already low VOC, so we encouraged people to look for the low VOC ratings on paint cans and buy those. • Placed some animated web ads about the lawnmower rebate program on Coloradoan Homepage and the Local page and got 80,000 impressions during the ad run. • Ran radio ads on "Stop at the Click" and low VOC paints in August on The Point 99.9. They have a younger audience. Thinking was they would be the most open to the environmental ads. There is no real way to evaluate it, however, because we haven't done this before. • Ozone alerts were posted on Cable Channel 14, in the Coloradoan and were also sent to Climate Wise businesses • Had a booth at Thursday night Music and More events at the Civic Center. Not sure it was effective in raising knowledge about ozone because people were there for fun. This was not a great year for ozone. YTD there have been 44 ozone alerts (mainly in July) in this area called by the State Health Department. • hi Ft. Collins there were high readings (more than .08) in July and August 25, was a hot day. • The Health Department website showed that the highest ozone ratings were not in Ft. Collins this summer, but in Rocky Flats north (.098). Second highest was at NREL (.090). Third highest site was at Ft. Collins West (.088). Western Ft. Collins has high readings consistent when the metro sites are high. The average of these readings will be helpful to establish a trend. In summary, • We expect an official designation of non -attainment by the end of 2007. A state plan to address this will be due by the end of 2008. The approval process goes through the Air Quality Control Commission and then goes to the Legislature (one year after designation) then to the EPA. It is not final until EPA approves and publishes it. • Lead agencies would be RRFMPO, DRCOG and RAQC, (Regional Air Quality Council) regarding this. • Brian mentioned Greeley is part of the non -attainment area of the Upper Front range, a rural MPO, and it is possible the governor may appoint a new body to address this. We can expect the development of a state implementation plan by December, 2008, which would include control measures and contingency plan. A motor vehicle emissions budget would then be established which would establish a cap on motor vehicle VOC and NOx emissions. The transportation planning process will determine the budget for this. Pertinent issues affecting future efforts to reduce ozone were discussed: • The emissions program may be reinstated in this area. It was an outdated program and was recently terminated. Even though cars are getting cleaner, vehicles are still an important source of ozone. • There are issues about the volatility of gasoline that could be tightened. Right now the State has a level for Reid Vapor Pressure, but also a one pound waiver for ethanol. This could be lowered or taken away. • How much more should the oil and gas industry be regulated because of ozone emissions? • It is not clear what the new "big" tools and strategies will be to reduce ozone. o McMaster voiced concern that the standards might be reduced if they cannot be achieved. o Lucinda will ask Mark Jackson at the Transportation Board if there is room on their September agenda for an update on this issue. This would help the Transportation Board see another aspect of the relationship with the Air Quality Board. • Implications of becoming a non -attainment area for ozone include: o Major stationary sources would become subject to stringent emissions- LAER (Lowest Achievable Emissions Rate) o Major existing stationary sources will be subject to RACT (Reasonably Achievable Control Technology) which has not been in place in Latimer County, but has been in place in Denver because they are a one -hour zone non -attainment. o In the transportation source area, the tests for conformity of transportation plans and air quality plans are more difficult and plans will have to say they will stay within a VOC emissions cap and a NOx cap. o There will be a delay until the SIP is approved by EPA and before the conformity test would come into play, which might be as late as 2009. There was discussion about the enforcement and inspection of oil and gas Regulation 7. • The state health department has its own staff that works in stationary source compliance and with county staff regarding some emissions compliance and permitting. • The new limits should be written into the new permits and the inspectors would then have to enforce the new limits, with a possibility of needing more inspectors. • It is unknown if there is funding for additional staff to enforce the regulation. • Need to be sure there are no unfunded mandates. Governor Ritter is concerned what will happen in 2008-9 to reduce ozone while the SIP is being developed. o His directive is to reduce the RAQC to work with local governments to reduce ozone below the current standard of .08 PPM by next summer and a plan presented by September, 2008, o Regarding the possibility of lowering current standards, in June, 2007, the EPA did propose to lower the 8 hour ozone standard to .07-.075. This is now in public comment period, and by March, 2008, it would be implemented with a goal of attainment by 2010. This gives the state 3 years to create a plan to implement and enforce this new standard. Pam Milmo at Boulder County Health Department is spearheading a local government coalition that is meeting and proactively working on regional strategies and a white paper to present to RACQ by September. o Possible strategies include: • Anti idling • Smoking Vehicle program • Colorado Clean cars program • Feebate for purchasing higher fuel efficient cars • OBD emissions program • Evaporative system checks on vehicles • Prohibit open burning on ozone alert days • Free transit on ozone alert days. Next steps : o Continue meeting with other local governments to develop white paper on strategies — Fall `07 o Participate in RAQC stakeholder process for ozone SIP development - 2008 o Coordinate w/MPO on SIP development -2008 o AQAB Board will continue to provide input to City Council. The group discussed: • The multiple benefits of a more comprehensive transit system that people would use and the desirability of low emissions in all types of vehicles. • Even though the smoking vehicle is a state ordinance, enforcement is not in place, however. There are approx. 100 reports of smoking vehicles a year. The only action being taken is that warning notices are sent. • Brian commented that our region is not the first to go through the process of reducing ozone. There are many strategies to reduce ozone available from other areas for the AQAB to study. • The ozone season ends in September and Lucinda did not expect final ozone level figures from the state until the end of September. At that time she suggested a press release be sent out to inform the citizens of Ft. Collins and the City Manager's office that we are in non-compliance with ozone levels in this area. • The Board was concerned that if the ozone standards were lowered in 2008, that there would have to be extensions since this region is in non -attainment. • Lucinda pointed out that current strategies in this area have been based on VOCs, while other areas have focused on NOx; the strategy being that reduction of VOCs would bring about reduction of ozone. However, the SIP process is going to model NOx. The board agreed that more investigation and strategy for attainment needs to be done regarding the effects of NOx. • Levine pointed out that The Early Action Ozone Compact was only in place for a short time (2005- 2007). He wondered what the EPA's role was in this. He suggested another SIP dealing with ozone would be dealt with more stringently by EPA. • Deitrich commented the plan was flawed from the start since there was no way to predict the hundreds of oil and gas well permits that have been approved during this ozone testing period, plus the very limited number of inspectors available to monitor them. • Georg felt the city leadership needs to invest in the success of this program. Lucinda clarified that there is no new funding coming in for this program, since funding to implement the compliance usually falls on the state level, not the local level. However, there is stable funding within the air quality program and latitude to spend it appropriately. • Levine voiced concern that whatever new plan is designed to achieve compliance is not ignored or countermanded with more oil and gas permits and lack of follow through. The Air Quality Board exists to review these plans and advise City Council and MPO on their effectiveness or potential problems. • Lucinda said she hoped the City could be a stakeholder in an ozone compliance plan and have the MPO be the lead agency, even though this would be a new arrangement. She is not sure if there are any limitations for the city's involvement. o Levine said if the city was involved, it could not only look at the strategy, but also at any impending unfunded mandates that would not be in a BFO process. o Dietrich reminded the group that industry is directly affected by ozone compliance and the state can get money because industry has to comply. o Lucinda suggested if that was the case, maybe more CMAQ money could come to the city for ozone which would be helpful for transportation programs. • Carrico asked where Rocky Mountain Park falls within the ozone non -attainment area. Dietrich said he felt it did not go over in June . Not sure about July. • Levine wanted to be sure the AQAB would be in the loop for the new SIP process. Brian pointed out that when City Council signs on to the project, they will turn to the AQAB board and ask for a recommendation. Levine commented the City Council had not asked for input in the past and the AQAB board will be proactively contacting the Council with recommendations this time. • It was agreed the AQAB Board would contact the City Manager's office and City Council and let them know the AQAB will be submitting input and recommendations for a SIP for ozone attainment. • Brian pointed out the Clean Air Act requires the non -attainment designations of each pollutant to be addressed one at a time and that has resulted in "compartmentalized" implementations. In the past ozone implementation plans have required progress in reducing emissions to be made — so you can't implement all the strategies the year before the deadline. Lucinda pointed out the contingency plan is a part of the SIP. AQ REPORT TO THE PUBLIC — FOLLOW-UP The board discussed a report prepared by Brian summarizing public input received at the Air Quality Report to the Community July 9, 2007. • Inputs were areas of concern expressed by the public regarding health, transportation, environment, community education, neighborhood and homes. Georg felt these categories would give good structure for future public meetings held on an annual basis. • Engell suggested the AQAB board review it, see how it works into their work plan, see what's missing and use it as a backdrop for next year's outreach plan. • McMaster suggested this report be presented to City Council to show the outreach the AQAB did and how it ties into the AQAB work plan and the community's concern about air quality and other environmental issues. • York proposed AQAB review the proposed 2008 City Council budget and see where air quality issues could be funded. Levine will make it an AQAB agenda item in September meeting to recommend a BFO. • McMaster pointed out AQAB recommendations should be quite specific and include how public transportation would alleviate many air quality issues. • Adamy suggested setting a special meeting to meet with Council to outline AQAB's intent for FBO. • Levine will arrange a meeting with Council liaison David Roy. This meeting will be the September AQAB meeting. Possible dates would be September 17 or 19. He will take highlights from survey and board work plan and draft an agenda for this meeting. o Items for discussion are results of the Air Quality Forum survey, the AQAB work plan, BFO, and outreach efforts of AQAB. • After this meeting the AQAB will formulate a document for the Council's consideration to create a BFO regarding air quality issues. • Brian will determine what the cost of AQAB outreach activities for 2007 have been, including staff time. • Lucinda will send a summary of the air quality survey to the AQAB board members. • At the last AQAB meeting, the board had asked Brian to give them feedback from the staff regarding the air quality forum. o Brian reported they considered the event successful with good turnout with interesting questions. o Staff compliments the Board for taking this initiative and felt it was a new and successful way of reaching out to the community to educate the public what the boards are doing. o Idea to expand the topics for this type of outreach, and even reach out to other boards for input and make it a biennial event. o Not sure how to evaluate the success of the forum. Brian will try to evaluate how to get more impact out of the efforts spent. • The Board discussed the possibility of having a Channel 14 TV roundtable show, with public invited, discussing the issue of air quality • Levine will put on September's agenda a discussion regarding how the City engages the public to participate in the issues of the city. UPDATES ON WORK IN PROGRESS West Nile Virus Task Force The AQAB Board had sent a recommendation to the City Manager's office regarding how to handle West Nile Virus. Brian reported the City Manager's office will most likely appoint a task force with board participation, after they run it by City Council. Levine remembered that the City Manager's office was to have contacted him by now, but that has not happened. He suggests putting this off until September to initiate a long-term plan for next season. The City Council members he has contacted are in favor of a well -developed full-fledged long-range program with an appropriate budget. Joint Committee with Transportation Board on Mobility Management • Adamy reported the committee is meeting the 2"d and 4th Monday of the month with the objective to go through the Mobility Management Plan and look at the six individual tasks in the Plan and summarize them with recommendations. They hope to have something by January/February, with a final goal of a presentation to City Council. This is a long-term planning effort, and may be another opportunity for community outreach. • They approached the Transportation Board and have their cooperation in this endeavor. • Levine will add this issue to the items to be discussed with David Roy at the September AQAB meeting. It could also be an issue to be discussed with the Climate Task Force. Climate Task Force • Carrico reported the consulting group has been evaluating the measures the Climate Task Force suggested they look at, including COZ reduction. They will be meeting tomorrow night and will report at September AQAB meeting. They are on schedule • Lucinda stated the Brindle group will be looking at the quantitative analysis and, after the September 20 meeting, hope to have an initial set of recommendations. She hopes to visit other boards more officially in October with this draft plan. • Levine agreed that the AQAB will put together a presentation AQAB MEMBER REPORTS & COMMENTS Brian addressed the Board with the following updates: • Regarding radon, the Building and Zoning Departments are updating the building code for multi- family buildings and want to incorporate codes for radon. The department is starting to do outreach to builders of multi -family and would like input from the AQAB Board. Timing is January study session and February adoption. • City clerk is recruiting for board members; AQAB is not one of them. The clerk asks you to recruit members to join other boards that are not full. PLAN SEPTEMBER MEETING Levine will arrange for City Council liaison David Roy to be present at the AQAB September meeting to discuss the above issues with the board. Items for future meetings: September = BFO; October = Climate Task Force Update — Cathy Collier will give update on Climate Wise. Adamy pointed out the FC Moves program needs to be taken to the next step ADJOURN • McMaster moved Georg seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned 8:06 PM Submitted by Alexis Hmielak Administrative Secretary I Approved by the Board on(A �� 2007 Signed Date�� w o� Administrative Secretary I Extension: 6600