Goal: Clean Air

Protect and improve air quality and public

health by attaining federal standards,
using smart growth land use planning, and
supporting environmentally preferable
travel alternatives.

Recommended modification of goal

Improve air quality by, at a minimum,
attaining federal standards

Content Expert: Joan Rohlfs, MWCOG

M-NCPPC Healthy and Sustainable Communities Workshop

June 25 & 26, 2008
 Indicators
Vehicle Miles Traveled
Montgomery County Residents -
30000 Commuting Patterns
25000
VMT (x 1,000)

20000
300,000

Commuters
Number of
15000
200,000 Single Rider Vehicles -
10000 Drove Alone
100,000
5000
0
0

02

04

06

08

10

12
20

20

20

20

20

20
00

03

06

09

12

15

18

21

24

27

30
20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20
Year
Year

Number of Days with Code Orange Air Quality

or Higher Montgomery County Residents -
Commuting Patterns
# of Ozone Action

50
Carpooled - Car, Truck
40 80,000
or Van

Commuters
Number of
Days

30 60,000 Public Transportation

20 (excluding taxicab)
40,000
10
Walked/Biked
0 20,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 0 Worked at Home
Year
02

04

06

08

10

12
20

20

20

20

20

20
Year

M-NCPPC
 Another Indicator to Consider

• Actual Pollutant Levels

M-NCPPC
 Our Group Focus

Number of Days with Code Orange Air Quality

or Higher
# of Ozone Action

50
40
Days

30
20
10
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Year
 Story behind the Trend Line

Factor #1: Lack of understanding among citizens about

how to improve air quality

Factor #2: Uncontrolled exhaust from power plants

Factor #3: Off road emissions

Factor #4: Area source emissions are growing and are

difficult to control

M-NCPPC
 What Will Work to Make a
Measurable Difference
Factor #1: Lack of understanding among citizens
about how to improve air quality
Potential Strategies/Actions:
• Increase environmental awareness via the
school system
• Public outreach via retailers
Partners:
• MCPS
• Clean Air Partners
(www.cleanairpartners.net)
• Local governments
• HOAs
• Non Profits
• Retailers (Lowes, Exxon, Giant)
M-NCPPC • Suppliers
• employees
 What Will Work to Make a
Measurable Difference
Factor #2: Uncontrolled exhaust from power
plants
Potential Strategies/Actions:
• Grants for energy producers to reduce
emissions
• Regulation (e.g. cap and trade)
• Increasing renewable portfolios
Partners:
• Congress
• Producers
• Academia
• COG/RPAs

M-NCPPC
 What Will Work to Make a
Measurable Difference
Factor #3: Off road emissions

Potential Strategies/Actions:
• Trade-in/exchange programs (e.g. old
• lawnmowers for more efficient ones)
Partners:
• Manufacturers
• Retailers

M-NCPPC
 What Will Work to Make a
Measurable Difference
Factor #4: Area source emissions are growing
and are difficult to control
Potential Strategies/Actions:
• Education about an individual’s actions
• and resulting consequences
• Better hazardous waste drop off
accessibility
• Tree planting
Partners:
• Local media, especially meteorologists
• Local Chambers of Commerce
• Community Groups
• NGOs
•
M-NCPPC Local Businesses