Dallas-Fort Worth Air Quality Training Manual

Transcription

1 Dallas-Fort Worth Air Quality Training Manual An air quality manual designed for those who operate, maintain, and manage local government fleet vehicles in the Dallas-Fort Worth nine-county ozone nonattainment area.

2 Introduction Hello! Thank you for taking time to learn more about what your entity is doing to help improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. Your government entity has adopted a Clean Fleet Vehicle Model Ordinance or Resolution stating that the employees, fleet managers, and vehicle operators will establish and abide by certain guidelines that pertain to onroad vehicles within their fleet. Please take a moment to review this Air Quality Training Manual to learn more about why your entity has chosen to adopt a Clean Fleet Vehicle Ordinance or Resolution and what you can do to help the DFW area reach a goal of cleaner air for you and the citizens you serve.

3 Why adopt a Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy? In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) instituted a new 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for the pollutant ozone. Nine-counties in the DFW area did not meet this new ozone standard and are now classified as a moderate ozone nonattainment area. The North Texas nonattainment region has until 2010 to reach attainment status for the pollutant ozone. If attainment cannot be demonstrated in the year 2010, then federal highway funding could be withheld from the North Texas region in addition to restricting certain businesses and industries from operating in the DFW region. Your entity has elected to adopt a Clean Fleet Vehicle Resolution in part to do its share to clean the air. Your entity is also seen as a partner in the region s air quality efforts to help reduce emissions from vehicles and make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone. Denton Parker Tarrant Dallas Johnson Ellis Collin Rockwall Kaufman DFW Nine-County Nonattainment Region

4 What is Ozone? NO x + VOC + = O 3 Ozone is an odorless, invisible atmospheric gas, sometimes written as its chemical symbol, O 3. The ingredients for the perfect ozone recipe include sunlight, Nitrogen Oxides (NO x ) and a group of chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). These chemicals combined with the presence of sunlight form ozone or O 3. I thought Ozone was good? When we talk about ozone in the air quality sense, ground-level ozone is most likely being referred to. This ground-level, or bad ozone is formed from pollutants where we live and work and can be harmful to sensitive populations and plant life. The ozone located in the upper atmosphere is good ozone because it provides humans and other life on earth protection from the sun s Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. All ozone referred to in this manual refers to the bad ozone that is created in part by on-road cars and trucks. What s Ozone Season? From May to October of each year, the summer heat, low winds and dry skies create the perfect environment for ozone to form and hover in the atmosphere above the DFW area. This time of year is referred to ozone season. Ozone season is from May 1 to October 31 of each year and is the time when the conditions to form ozone are more likely to happen.

5 Where do the pollutants that form ozone come from? Pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone formation come from many different types of sources. As you learned, these pollutants are NO x and VOCs. The figure below shows the sources of these pollutants, which include point and area sources such as electrical generation plants, nonroad engines such as lawnmowers and airplanes, on-road vehicles including cars and trucks, and miscellaneous sources such as trees and fires. Point and Area Sources Non-Road Engines + NOx & VOC = Ozone Miscellaneous Sources On-Road Vehicles In the DFW region pollution from cars and trucks, or on-road vehicles, contribute approximately 45 percent of the NO x pollution that leads to ozone formation Nitrogen Oxide Emissions 10% 25% 20% 45% 0 On-Road Mobile Area Point Off-Road Mobile Source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

6 Why do we care about the ozone? The EPA sets federal standards for air pollutants according to health-based criteria. When levels are near or above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) an Ozone Watch or Warning is issued. The EPA has established levels at which ozone is unhealthy for humans. Ozone irritates the lining of the lungs, can aggravate respiratory conditions, and can make breathing more difficult for some people such as young children, seniors, asthma sufferers and those with respiratory diseases. The Watch and Warning system using the Air Quality Index colors, was developed to notify citizens that ozone AQI Levels of Health Concern Very Unhealthy Unhealthy Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Moderate Good concentrations are close to exceeding or do exceed healthy levels of ozone and that outside activities might be unhealthy for sensitive groups. For most of the population, exposure for long periods of time to higher ozone levels indicated by the color purple on the AQI are unhealthy.

7 Your entity s s pledge to improve Air Quality One strategy developed by the North Central Texas Council of Government s Regional Transportation Council (RTC) to help bring the DFW area into attainment for ozone was the Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy. On October 13, 2005, the RTC adopted a resolution supporting the RTC Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy. This resolution supported the adoption of a Clean Fleet Vehicle Model Ordinance by government entities in the nine-county nonattainment area. Since, approximately 45 percent of ozone forming pollution comes from on-road vehicles in the DFW area, this policy focuses on ways to reduce pollution from governmental vehicles. The four main elements adopted by your entity include: Acquisitions Operations Maintenance Compliance Verification Each element includes specific actions to take during acquisitions, operations, and maintenance of the fleet vehicles. On the following pages are specific ways you and your entity can help improve air quality by the actions directly outlined in the Model Ordinance.

8 Acquisitions Your entity has adopted certain requirements for new vehicles that are replacing older vehicles or for new vehicles purchased to expand the fleet. These include: 1.1 Vehicle acquisitions for fleet expansion or replacement of model year 2004 or newer, shall be newest model year or engine standard only. The EPA has set emission standards that light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles must meet. Emission standards for vehicle engines continue to become more stringent, which makes them much cleaner. The Clean Fleet Vehicle Model Ordinance has specified certain year models and emission requirements for vehicles that are being purchased for fleet expansion and replacement by local government entities because usually used and older vehicles have higher emissions. 1.2 Vehicle acquisitions to replace model year 2003 or older vehicles must show at least a 25% reduction in Nitrogen Oxides (NO x ) emissions rate compared to the vehicle being replaced. (Waivers are possible when new technologies or achievements of the required emission reduction are not possible.) A calculator developed by NCTCOG will help estimate whether a vehicle you would like to purchase is 25% cleaner than the one you are replacing. To learn more about the Emissions Calculator or to download a waiver form visit

9 Acquisitions 1.3 Aftermarket technologies and conversions are acceptable for fleet expansion and fleet replacements Aftermarket technologies and conversions must be Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified or certified or technology equivalent or better, as determined by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff. Certified or Verified? Verified technologies are technologies in that the EPA has taken the manufacturers data and verified that the testing was completed correctly. CARB s Verification Procedure ensures that emission reductions for technologies used in the field are achieving the emission reductions that are consistent with their verification. Engines and new motor vehicles are certified by the EPA and/or CARB for emission compliance before it is available for sale, use, or registration. Additional Aftermarket Technology Information Retrofits Retrofits are also options that can be used to reduce emissions from internal combustion engines. In general, retrofit technologies are used as devices to reduce exhaust emissions from vehicle tailpipes or to improve fuel economy. Generally, these devices can be installed on trucks and buses, non-road vehicles and equipment, and stationary diesel equipment after the vehicle has been manufactured. Repowers Repowering is typically done on heavy-duty vehicle engines and involves replacing the current engine with a different engine but keeping the same vehicle body. Alternative fuel converted vehicles are vehicles that were originally designed to operate on gasoline or diesel but have been altered to run on an alternative fuel. The two most common types of alternative fuel vehicle conversions include compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, or propane).

10 Acquisitions Conversions must comply with the provisions of EPA Memorandum 1A and Addendum Revision (June 25, 1974 and June 1, 1998). What is EPA Memorandum 1A? In June 1974, the U.S. EPA issued Mobile Source Enforcement Memorandum 1A (Memo 1A). The original purpose of Memo 1A was to enforce the tampering prohibitions under Section 203(a)(3) of the Clean Air Act with respect to maintenance and use of aftermarket parts. Memo 1A and its subsequent revisions also outline procedures for converting vehicles to operate on alternative fuels while still complying with the Clean Air Act's tampering prohibitions and ensuring that emissions are not degraded through the conversion process. All vehicle conversions must be certified according to Mobile Source Enforcement Memorandum 1A, the Addendum to Memo 1A, and the Revision to the Addendum to Memo 1A, which were issued by EPA. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engine that can be used to repower a heavy-duty vehicle. Memorandum 1A would apply to this engine being inserted into a vehicle. Helpful Links to find out more about Clean Vehicle and Technology Acquisitions: EPA Green Vehicle Guide - EPA Verified Retrofit Technologies - CARB Verified Retrofit Technologies - Clean Cities Fleet Buyer s Guide -

11 Operations How a vehicle is operated has a direct influence on the amount of emissions the vehicle creates. Your entity has adopted certain operational requirements for those driving vehicles such as: Example: A gasoline-electric hybrid sedan would emit less NO x than a diesel truck or gasoline only sedan. grams per mile 2.1 Idling is only allowed for safety, emergency response, vehicle maintenance, equipment activity, warm-up/operations in cold temperature, and manufacturer recommended idle/warm-up time. Unnecessary idling causes your vehicle to burn fuel and release emissions and can cause stress on your vehicle s engine. Please follow any limited idling guidelines set forth by your fleet manager. 2.2 Vehicles with the lowest NOx emissions that are capable of performing the required operational demands shall drive the most miles Emissions increase as speed increases Gasoline Engine Speed (mph) Diesel Engine 2.3 Fleet manager shall abide by latest refueling time/season guidance published by NCTCOG Air Quality Planning. Follow any established refueling guidelines that your fleet manager may have until further guidance from NCTCOG is available. 2.4 Non-emergency vehicles shall drive no more than the posted speed limit and avoid rapid acceleration. 2.5 All drivers shall be trained on air quality appropriate operations requirements. This manual as a tool to meet this requirement.

12 Maintenance Your fleet manager will be responsible for the maintenance of the e vehicles; however, as a driver of a vehicle, it is your responsibility to let the maintenance department know when your vehicle is not in the best operating condition. Your fleet manager will do the following: 3.1 Perform annual emission and safety inspections for all vehicles, even for vehicles with no state mandated inspection requirement. All Texas registered vehicles are required to receive an annual inspection. All inspections include a comprehensive safety inspection; however, some vehicles are required to have an emissions test in addition to the safety inspection. If your vehicle is smoking, the smoke color can indicate the problem Black Smoke: Incomplete fuel combustion Blue Smoke: Oil in combustion chamber : Water/Coolant in combustion chamber Grey Smoke: Indicates one of the problems indicated by black or blue smoke. Make sure the Check Engine light is not on. If it does come on, please report it to the maintenance facility because this could be an indication that the vehicle s emission control devices are not working properly. Texas Transportation Code states the following so please be cautious of smoking vehicles: EMISSION SYSTEMS REQUIRED. (d) Except when travel conditions require the downshifting or use of lower gears to maintain reasonable momentum, a person commits an offence if the person operates, or as an owner knowingly permits another person to operate, a vehicle that emits: (1) visible smoke for 10 seconds or longer; or (2) visible smoke that remains suspended in the air for 10 seconds or longer before fully dissipating.

13 Maintenance 3.2 All vehicles with over 100,000 miles must have emission inspections every 25,000 miles thereafter. Emission equipment will begin to degrade overtime and additional checks at specified intervals will help insure the vehicle is operating at it s best condition. 3.3 Perform manufacturer s recommended maintenance. Routine oil changes, tire rotations, and properly inflated tires are just a few of recommended maintenance procedures you can monitor when driving a vehicle and that can greatly reduce the emissions from the vehicle. 3.4 Mandatory participation in any diesel or other Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or NCTCOG inspection/maintenance program, including applicable test or pilot programs. These could include: A diesel inspection/maintenance program In-use retrofit technology evaluation This participation will ensure availability of vehicles to test new and innovative technologies that may be helpful in reducing vehicular emissions.

14 Want to find out more about reducing emissions from vehicles, visit: to to Clean Cities Program - The mission of the Clean Cities Program is to advance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum consumption. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition - The DFW Clean Cities is a locally based, private and public partnership group that works to advance the economic, environmental, and energy security goals of the United States by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean School Bus Program The DFW Clean School Bus Program is a fuel neutral program that acts as a clearinghouse for product, technology, fuel, and funding source information. Also, the program seeks to gather community resources assist school districts in the DFW nonattainment area with improving air quality and children s health. Drive Clean Across Texas - Drive Clean Across Texas is the nation s first statewide public outreach and education campaign designed raise awareness and change attitudes about air pollution. Ultimately Drive Clean Across Texas goal is to inspire changes in driving behavior that will help clean up the air in Texas. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation - The Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) develops national programs, technical policies, and regulations for controlling air pollution and radiation exposure. It All Ads Up to Clean Air - It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air is a unique public education and partnership-building initiative developed collaboratively by several federal agencies to help regional, state and community efforts to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. NCTCOG Clean Vehicle Website - The Clean Vehicle program is responsible for supporting policies, practices, and technologies that help improve air quality in the North Texas region through the use of clean fuel and clean vehicle technology. North Texas Clean Air Coalition NTCAC's mission is to promote voluntary actions to improve air quality in North Texas.