DIRECTOR'S CORNER
Improving air quality across Virginia
Virginia has made significant progress improving air quality in the past several years, but we must continue working to meet the challenges ahead. Air quality needs to be maintained in areas where conditions are good and improved in localities that do not meet air quality standards. Better air quality means Virginians will have a cleaner environment, improved opportunities for economic development and a healthier way of life.
The Department of Environmental Quality, other government agencies, and many Virginia businesses and organizations have taken important steps that will contribute to better air quality in the next several years. These steps include:
- With DEQ’s support, the Roanoke and Winchester areas have voluntarily adopted early action plans (such as developing new bus routes and Air Quality Action Days) to improve air quality. This will prevent them from becoming designated by the federal government as non-attainment areas, or areas that do not meet air quality standards.
- Air quality has improved in Fredericksburg and Shenandoah National Park to the point that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may declare that they meet the ozone air quality standard. However, the areas must work to ensure that good air quality continues. Fredericksburg area localities, in conjunction with DEQ and the Virginia Department of Transportation, have developed and submitted a plan to EPA to maintain air quality. DEQ is also working with the National Park Service to create a plan to protect air quality within Shenandoah National Park.
- The Commonwealth is implementing a remote sensing program as part of the Northern Virginia automobile emissions inspection and maintenance program. Parts of Northern Virginia do not meet ozone and particle pollution standards, meaning they are designated as non-attainment areas. Since automobile emissions can contribute to ozone and particle pollution, reducing pollution emissions from automobiles will result in better air quality. Remote sensing provides tailpipe exhaust readings while a vehicle is being driven. DEQ will use this data in the future to identify polluting vehicles. Information from this program also will be used to reward drivers of exceptionally clean automobiles by using the remote sensing data in lieu of their next required emissions test.
- DEQ is providing technical assistance to the Shenandoah Valley Air Quality Initiative or SHENAIR. Citizens, elected officials, educators and regulators participate in the initiative to develop a set of decision support tools for air quality planning. SHENAIR hopes to accomplish this goal through air quality observations and forecasts, including the establishment of air quality and meteorological monitoring stations throughout the Shenandoah Valley.
- Virginia natural gas transmission facilities are expected to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 3,000 tons by the summer of 2007, improving air quality in Virginia as well as Maryland and Washington, D.C.
- Power plants have installed air pollution control technologies that reduced nitrogen oxides emissions between 2003 and 2004 by more than 7,000 tons during the summer months. This significant reduction was achieved even though electricity production remained steady, and we expect more air emission reductions this summer.
In addition, Virginia is working with the general public to improve awareness about air quality. DEQ and the American Lung Association of Virginia, with the assistance of other Virginia businesses and associations, recently launched the Clean Air Champions campaign at the Richmond International Raceway. The event resulted in more than 600 people taking the program’s pledge to properly maintain their vehicles to reduce air pollution emissions.
DEQ also issues air quality forecasts for the metropolitan areas of Richmond, Roanoke, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. These forecasts include information on expected levels of ozone and, for the first time, particle pollution. The agency also issues forecasts of ozone for the Winchester area. The forecasts alert citizens when high pollution levels may occur. On those days, citizens, businesses and industry are encouraged to take effective steps that will help keep the air clean, including:
- Avoiding unnecessary car trips.
- Sharing a ride or using public transportation.
- Postponing refueling vehicles and equipment until after dusk.
- Limiting or halting the use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment.
- Avoiding excessive engine idling.
Every Virginian has the responsibility to protect the air we breathe. The many actions taken by DEQ, other government agencies, localities and the public will lead to cleaner, healthier air for communities across Virginia. To learn more about Virginia’s air quality and regional air quality improvement programs, visit DEQ’s web site at www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality.