AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2021-102R, approving a commitment to support the CAPCOG Clean Air Coalition’s Proposed Regional PM2.5 Emission Reduction and Planning Measures for the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA Regional Air Quality Plan; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: June 1, 2021
Department: Public Works Department - Sabas Avila, Interim Director
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Background Information:
The City of San Marcos is a member of the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition (CAC). The Central Texas Clean Air Coalition is a voluntary association of organizations that support the regional effort toward improvement of air quality in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which consists of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. The purpose of the CAC is to work cooperatively to achieve clean air standards that will protect public health while allowing organizations to select measures best suited to each community’s needs and resources.
In December 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded its periodic review of the particulate matter (PM) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by deciding to retain all of the existing PM NAAQS. However, during the next PM NAAQS review due in 2025, the new EPA Administrator could tighten the NAAQS and the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA’s) PM2.5 concentrations are high enough that the region could be at risk of a nonattainment designation for a tighter PM2.5 NAAQS. Therefore, both from a public health perspective and a regulatory perspective, the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition (CAC) has decided to update the region’s voluntary air quality plan, 2019-2023 Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Regional Air Quality Plan, to include additional measures targeted at reducing regional PM2.5 air pollution and enhancing awareness of PM air pollution.
Particulate matter is defined as fine particles such as dust, dirt, or soot. Particulate matter is generally derived from “non-point” or “area” sources such as construction sites, unpaved roads, or fires. Particulate matter differs from other pollutants such as ground-level ozone (O3) which are driven by combustion sources like cars, plants or factories.
CAC is requesting that member organizations consider voluntary Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) reduction measures to be incorporated into the Regional Air Quality Plan. PM 2.5 are particles that have a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers.
CAC has provided sample activities that members could implement such as:
• Water application for dust control
• Stabilize earthworks with stone/soil/geotextiles
• Control mud and dirt tracking and carryout
• Proper maintenance of unpaved roads
• Street sweeping
• Covering haul trucks
CAC is requesting general PM2.5 commitments from its Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA partners. Specific activities are not required at this time and reduction commitments are completely voluntary. However, the City already incorporates the examples above as part of its normal practices. So, PM 2.5 reduction activities can be achieved without additional costs to the City.
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of Table 1 - PM2.5 Measures for inclusion in the 2019-2023 Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA Air Quality Plan update.