Catching Up....
Air Quality Awareness Week 2008
New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine has declared April 28th – May 2nd Air Quality Awareness Week 2008. This week emphasizes that you can protect your health, as well as the health of others, by paying attention to local air quality and moving toward living a “greener” lifestyle. Becoming “greener” is easy. Just by making simple changes to your everyday routine, such as combining automobile trips, riding or biking to work, using environmentally friendly cleaning products, and conserving resources, such as turning off the lights to save energy, you can reduce air pollution, lessen your impact on the environment, and likely save money in the process.
Each day of New Jersey’s Air Quality Awareness Week 2008 focuses on a different aspect of our everyday lives, emphasizing on how things that we do, almost without thinking about them, impact our environment. As a follow-up, there are tips and suggestions provided which relate to creating and maintaining a sustainable lifestyle within your community, which will simultaneously reduce greenhouse gases, criteria air pollutants, and air toxics. All of the week’s themes, facts, and actions can be found at http://www.nj.gov/dep/aqaweek/tips.htm. This site also highlights area or local events scheduled during Air Quality Awareness Week and beyond.
New Jersey’s efforts coincide with a National initiative by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The federal agencies’ themes and facts can be found at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/airaware/.
Remember to check your local air quality on AirNow or the NJDEP’s Air Monitoring website.
USEPA Grant Proposals Due March 17, 2008
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has announced that an estimated $3 million will be available in 2008 for community organizations wanting to reduce pollution locally in their neighborhoods. Through its Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program, the USEPA is currently accepting proposals to support community-based partnerships. Proposals are due by March 17, 2008.
The US EPA will conduct three conference calls on Jan. 18, Feb. 11, and Feb. 27, 2008, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process. CARE is a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for communities to organize and take action to reduce toxic pollution in their air, land, and water. By joining forces, for-profit and non-profit organizations can work together to improve the environmental health of a community and its residents.
The USEPA anticipates awarding CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I cooperative agreements range from $75,000 to $100,000 and can be used to create community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities which have already established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk reduction activities, and become self-sustaining.
In 2007, $3.4 million in cooperative agreements were made available to more than 20 communities through the CARE program, a community-based, community-driven program that builds partnerships to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources. Examples of previously-funded projects include addressing pollution from the Philadelphia ports, reducing the impacts of pesticides on public health and the environment in low-income neighborhoods in Philadelphia, addressing abandoned, contaminated industrial and residential properties in Gary, Ind., dealing with agriculture-related toxics in Yakima County, Wash., and reducing air emissions from diesel trucks and buses in Woonsocket, R.I.
The following entities are eligible to apply: Local, public nonprofit institutions and organizations; federally recognized Indian tribal governments; Native American organizations; private nonprofit institutions and organizations; colleges and universities; quasi-public nonprofit institutions and organizations (both interstate and intrastate). State governments or their agencies are not eligible to apply. The USEPA hopes to work with state agencies as partners to support CARE communities, where appropriate. The 2008 Request for Proposal can be found at www.epa.gov/care.
Ridefinders Newsletter, Winter 2008
DVRPC Air Quality Winter Newsletter
Trucker's Challenge to Result in Cleaner Air
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in partnership with the New Jersey Motor Truck Association has formed the "Trucker’s Challenge," a federally funded grant program aimed at truckers to encourage the purchase of bunk heaters, auxiliary power units, and tailpipe emission control devices that reduce emissions from idling trucks and address public health concerns. A bunk heater is a small heating unit located in the cab of the heavy-duty truck that provides heat to the driver during rest periods without having the truck motor idling. An auxiliary power unit is a small generator mounted on the outside of the truck that provides heating, cooling and electricity without having the truck motor idling.
Using a bunk heater or auxiliary power unit rather than idling a truck while the truck driver is resting not only reduces emissions from the diesel engine, but also saves fuel and reduces wear on the diesel engine.
The DEP recently revised its rules to reduce idling of diesel buses, heavy-duty trucks, and off-road vehicles. One of these changes eliminates the sleeper berth exemption for truckers in 2010. Idling of heavy-duty trucks is currently allowed when the truck driver is resting in a sleeper berth since truck drivers need heat and air-conditioning while resting. In 2010, idling will only be allowed on trucks with model year 2007 engines or newer, or on trucks that have been retrofitted with a diesel particulate filter.
The total funding available to truck drivers or trucking companies for this project is $750,000. Typically, a bunk heater costs approximately $1,000 and an auxiliary power unit costs approximately $9000. The Trucker’s Challenge could provide funding for as many as 160 auxiliary power units and 100 bunk heaters. This would translate to fuel savings of approximately 350,000 gallons of fuel per year. If you are interested in participating in the program, contact Gail Toth of the NJ Motor Truck Association at (732) 254-5000 to determine if you are eligible. Or, you can apply online at http://www.njmta.org/images/pages/novemberdep.pdf.
Exposure to diesel emissions in New Jersey cause more premature deaths than homicides and car accidents combined. Vehicle emissions cause lung and heart disease and also worsen asthma, bronchitis, and allergies. If you see a vehicle idling for an extended period of time, you can call the DEP’s 24 hour Hotline at (877) 927-6337 or WARN DEP or contact your local police. More information is available at www.StopTheSoot.org.
Earth Gauge
Earth Gauge is an initiative by the National Environmental Education Foundation and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) to facilitate the evolution of broadcast meteorologists - highly trusted public figures - into “station scientists” who can expertly cover and relate basic environmental information to their viewers.
AQI in Google Earth
Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasts and current conditions are now available in Keyhole Markup Language (KML) format. This allows for AIRNow data to be displayed in 3D viewers such as Google Earth.
Air Emission Sources in Google Earth
Based on the latest National Emissions Inventory, the site uses charts and Google Earth files to answer a user's questions. Users can look at overall emissions, emissions by type of industry, or emissions by largest polluter.
January is Radon Action Month
Governor Jon S. Corzine has joined the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in proclaiming January as Radon Action Month to increase public awareness about the health risks of radon exposure and encourage radon testing and mitigation when needed. Click here for the Governor's 2006 Proclamation. For suggestions on outreach activities that can be conducted locally, contact your local health department or click on the following link: Radon Action Partnership - Activities. Learn more about the national effort to take action against radon by following the link provided by the USEPA: National Radon Action Month.
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of naturally occurring uranium in soil. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless, and can only be detected by specialized tests. Radon enters homes through openings that are in contact with the ground, such as cracks in the foundation, small openings around pipes, and sump pits.
Radon and its decay products release radioactive energy that can damage lung tissue. The more radon you are exposed to, and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of eventually developing lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, resulting in 15,000 to 22,000 deaths per year.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recommends all homes be tested for radon. Testing is easy and homes with high levels of radon can be fixed. The DEP and the USEPA recommend taking action if your test indicates a level of 4 picoCuries per liter or higher of radon. There is no truly “safe” level of radon. The risk decreases as the radon decreases, so the lower you can get radon levels, the better off you will be. For more information or a list of certified radon mitigation businesses, go to http://www.njradon.org or call (609) 984-5425.
New Jersey Air Quality Education Resources for Teachers
This site introduces New Jersey educators and students to data sources, content information, curriculum resources, and community-based projects that engage students of all ages in learning about air quality in New Jersey. State and federal government agencies or regional agency partnerships oversee the resources featured here, while the "Additional Resources" section provides links to other entities that are also helping to protect air quality.
2007 New Jersey Clean Air Council Hearing Report
"Improving Air Quality Through Energy Efficiency - The Power of Government Policy and an Educated Public" (PDF)
November 14 - Worldwide Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Day
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the USEPA. The New England Journal of medicine reports COPD is predicted to become the third most common cause of death and the fifth most common cause of disability in the world by 2020. A study reported in Chest suggests that persons with COPD account for a significantly disproportionate share of all medical care costs.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema making it difficult to breathe. It has been linked to exposure to particle air pollution. The symptoms include: chronic cough, increased mucus production, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.
November 14th is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Day (COPD) day. The purpose of this day is to improve awareness and care of persons who are living with COPD. The USEPA Aging Initiative prepared a fact sheet on COPD and asthma that addresses environmental triggers that can worsen the symptoms associated with COPD and asthma. The fact sheet and poster entitled "Age Healthier, Breathe Easier" can be found and copies can be ordered on the USEPA website at http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/ahbe_english_2004_0330.pdf. For more information about World COPD Day visit http://www.goldcopd.com/WCDIndex.asp?l1=1&l2=0.
Final New Jersey Air Quality Plan for Ozone Available
October is Energy Awareness Month
October is Fall Car Care Month
October is Children's Health Month
The USEPA celebrates Children's Health Month each October by developing publications and activities that highlight the importance of protecting children from environmental risks. Ten years ago, the USEPA established the Office of Children's Health Protection to make the health protection of children a fundamental goal of public health and environmental protection. Today, the Office of Children’s Health Protection and Environmental Education (OCHPEE) is reflecting on the progress to date and formulating a vision for the future.
October 21-27 - Radon Action Week
Radon Action week is October 21-27 so this is a great time to mention that New Jersey's Radon Program was recently recognized as one of four Radon Leaders in the United States. On September 10, 2007, the USEPA presented New Jersey with a "Radon Leaders Saving Lives" award at the National Radon Meeting in Jacksonville, Florida. The USEPA applied a rigorous process to select the inaugural group of four leading radon programs. Each program selected has demonstrated quantified results for radon mitigations and radon resistant new construction; high performing collaborations; and a core capacity to sustain results into the future.
DEP’s Radon Program, in the Bureau of Environmental Radiation, regulates radon testers and mitigators, and conducts extensive outreach to the citizens of New Jersey to inform them of the risk associated with exposure to elevated levels of radon.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, resulting in approximately 21,000 deaths each year. The more radon you are exposed to, and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of eventually developing lung cancer. Testing your home for radon is easy and homes with high radon can be mitigated. The USEPA and the Radon Program recommend that all homes be tested for radon; if levels of 4.0 pCi/L or higher are found, mitigation is recommended.
The USEPA recently launched a campaign to motivate leaders to save lives in every state by highlighting the most effective strategies for increasing radon mitigations and the number of new homes built with radon reducing features. This campaign will engage leaders from state and local government, community coalitions, industry, and individual citizen leaders in a nationwide movement to save 1,250 lives annually by 2012 by accelerating effective radon risk management activities in every state.
If you haven't tested your home, this may be the opportune time to take action. A list of certified testing businesses is available at www.njradon.org or homeowners can purchase a test device at local hardware stores or home centers. For further information on testing or mitigation, contact the Radon Program at (800) 648-0394.
Gov. Corzine Declares Week of Oct. 14-20 Earth Science Week
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Earth Science Week and Governor Jon Corzine has acknowledged this milestone by declaring the week of Oct. 14 - 20 as Earth Science Week. The Earth Science Week proclamation supports the environmental and public health priorities of his administration. Greenhouse gas reduction, sustainable growth and livable communities, open space preservation, clean water, stewardship of natural lands and environmental restoration are all components of the proclamation.
The earth sciences are critical to addressing the some of the state’s most pressing environmental challenges. Earth science education is an important element in achieving environmental literacy. Knowledge of the earth’s complex systems is an important element in environmental protection.
DEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson will officially present the Governor's Earth Science proclamation at Liberty State Park during the NJDEP's annual World Water Monitoring Day festivities on Oct. 18. Approximately 130 students from Newark, Montclair and North Arlington schools will participate in the event along with geologists, hydrologists, and water quality experts from DEP's Water Monitoring and Standards, Division of Parks and Forestry, and the New Jersey Geological Survey. The DEP staff will be joined by representatives from the EPA, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute.
Teachers can get a free Earth Science Week Toolkit teaching packet by calling the New Jersey Geological Survey at (609) 292-1185. For more information about Earth Science Week, visit the DEP's Web site at www.state.nj.us/dep, Earth Science Week headquarters at www.earthsciweek.org.
New Jersey Clean Energy Conference
The New Jersey Clean Energy Conference annually brings together over 600 leading energy professionals and businesses to learn, network, and discuss the issues shaping the energy market and the New Jersey energy market in particular.
New Jersey's Proposed Air Quality Plan for Ozone
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection proposed a revision to its State Implementation Plan (SIP) to implement the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). A hearing was held on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 and the public comment period closed on August 8, 2007. Copies of the Department's proposal, as well as all the attachment and appendices, are available from the Department's web site. The main document is also available for review at the Department's Public Information Center at 401 E. State Street in Trenton, the Department's Regional Enforcement Offices, and a number of public libraries throughout the State. For additional information on the public hearing and submitting comments, please contact: Ms. Willa Williams phone: (609) 292-6722, email: willa.williams@dep.state.nj.us.
Air Quality Awareness Week, Apr. 30 - May 4, 2007
Every year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration designate a week as national Air Quality Awareness Week. This year, April 30 – May 4, 2007 was Air Quality Awareness Week. This action is intended to deliver the clear message that people across the country can protect their health by paying attention to local air quality. Air Quality Awareness Week provides states with an opportunity not only to educate its citizens on air quality, but also to highlight state-specific air pollution concerns, as well as achievements in reducing air pollution. The citizens of New Jersey can protect their health by paying attention to local air quality. People can also reduce air pollution by combining trips, riding or biking to work, and using green cleaning products.
In New Jersey, each day of Air Quality Awareness Week had a different theme related to an air pollutant and a suggested action to reduce the amount of that pollutant being emitted in New Jersey. The NJDEP website highlighted area or local events scheduled during Air Quality Awareness Week and beyond. The federal agencies were following a similar plan.
March Public Hearings
RACT SIP Proposal:
Interested parties could formally comment on the future control measures that were part of the draft Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) State Implementation Plan (SIP). The RACT SIP proposal provided commitments for future RACT actions; it does not include any proposed rulemaking. A public hearing was held March 19, 2007 at 10:00 am at the NJDEP, 401 E. State St., in the Public Hearing Room.
CAIR NOx Trading Program Rule Proposal:
Interested parties could formally comment on the draft Clear Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) NOx Trading Program Rule Proposal. The proposal included new rules to implement New Jersey's CAIR NOx Trading Program and constituted a proposed revision to the State's Ozone SIP. A public hearing was held March 28, 2007 at 10:00 am at the NJDEP, 401 E. State St., in the Public Hearing Room.
NJBPU Leads Development of the Energy Master Plan for New Jersey
An important series of public stakeholder meetings began on October 23, 2006 that will enable New Jerseyans to offer input into New Jersey's Energy Master Plan, a long-term energy vision for the state that plans for the state's energy needs through 2020.
Comments on NJ's White Papers
Comments on the NJDEP white papers are posted, as received, and are organized according to the individual and organization that submitted the comments. In most cases, each commenter submitted comments on multiple white papers. To date, the NJDEP received a total of 67 individual comments from 24 different individuals or organizations covering 37 of the 60 posted white papers.
USEPA's Voluntary Program for Outdoor Wood-fired Hydronic Heaters (OWHH)
The OWHH program encourages manufacturers to improve air quality through developing and distributing cleaner, more efficient outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters. The new website provides basic information and additional resources about outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters.
NESCAUM's Model Rule for Outdoor Hydronic Heaters
A regional model rule prepared by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) for consideration by the States. The model rule is still undergoing State member review.
MARAMA's Refinery Emissions Control Project (Final)
Regional final model rules prepared by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association (MARAMA) for consideration by the States.
Revised NJDEP Air Toxics Website
The Division of Air Quality posted a revised Air Toxics Website on Friday January 26, 2007. The website includes National Air Toxics Assessment data from the USEPA that shows the modeled concentration of air toxics compared to the health benchmark. The updated website includes twenty-two maps, each showing a toxic (chemical of concern) that exceeds the health benchmark at the census tract level. The updated website also includes new information and directs the user to the USEPA and other air toxics websites that provide information on specific toxic substances.
Final New Jersey Ozone RACT SIP Available
New Jersey's Global Warming Site
Draft White Papers (Revised 7/16/07)
The State has narrowed down its list of potential candidate control measures for a closer review. Review those measures that have been identified for further analysis (Excel file).
OTC Model Rule Updates: Drafts for 2009
Regional final draft model rules prepared by the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) for consideration by the States.
An Update Workshop on Air Emission Control Strategies in New Jersey - May 17, 2006
Potential Regional Air Pollution Reduction Strategies under Development
The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) recently released candidate control strategies under consideration for implementation in the region. You will recognize their commonality with many of the workgroup recommendations. Currently, these are works in progress.
The measures are intended to address interstate air pollution. The OTC region encompasses Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.
Background
The Reducing Air Pollution Together Initiative is a collaborative effort for the NJDEP to work jointly with the public and other interested parties to determine potential air emission reduction strategies. The effort began in 2005 at a workshop on June 29, 2005 with the formation of the six air quality workgroups. The webpage is a summary of the Initiative that is continually updated to reflect ongoing activities.
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