# Presentation: 225595

## Denver’s Experience with PM Outreach

**Ken Lloyd**
**Regional Air Quality Council**
- U.S. EPA’s 2003 National Air Quality Conference
- San Antonio, TX

## Denver Metro Area

**Notes:**
2.2 million  people

58 million VMT

Denverr <25% population
Jefferson most populous
Douglas one of fastest growing counties in the country

S. Platter River drainage

## The Past

- 25 years ago Denver had a reputation for among the worst air quality in the country
- Exceeded federal air quality standards more than 150 times per year
- Carbon Monoxide
- Ozone
- TSP
- Nonattainment for PM-10 standard in 1987
- Denver was well known for its “Brown Cloud”

## The Progress

- 1980

- 1985

- 1990

- 1995

- 2000

**Notes:**
Population increased about 50%VMT doubled

Flirting with 8-hour ozone stanadrd

## The Achievement

- Denver area became the first area to achieve redesignation to attainment for all EPA standards:
**Ozone**  --  redesignation effective October 2001
**CO**  --  redesignation effective January 2002
**PM-10** – redesignation effective October 2002

## The Brown Cloud Remains

## Keys to Success

**Business community leadership**
**Local government involvement**
**Citizen support and interest**
**Innovation**
**Public/private partnerships**
**Federal standards and programs**

## Winter High Pollution Program

- Multi-pollutant approach
**Carbon Monoxide**
**PM-10**
**Visibility**
**PM-2.5**

-    Many varied elements
**High pollution days**
**Visibility standard**
**Woodburning**
**Power plants**
**Diesel vehicles**
**Street sanding**
**Reduced driving**

## High Pollution Day Forecasts

- First implemented winter of 1987/88
**Initially based on CO and PM-10**
**Visibility added in 1990**
**PM-2.5 added in 2000**
**Runs from Nov. 1 to March 31**
- Initially implemented with a three-tied call:
**Red**
**Yellow  ***(dropped in 1990)*
**Blue**
- Visibility has become the prime basis for the calls --  50-60 red days per year

## HPD Symbols

***Conditions are poor or expected to worsen***

***Conditions are good or expected to improve***

## Urban Visibility Standard

- In 1989 State legislature directed state agency to establish an urban visibility standard
- Standard established through a public involvement process
- Standard is based on visual range
- Serves as a basis for high pollution day calls and woodburning restrictions
- Standard is a goal – no other regulatory enforcement

## Woodburning Program

- Worked cooperatively with wood heating industry to develop a multi-faceted program:
**Wood stove standards**
**Local government woodburning restrictions on high pollution days**
**Ban on fireplaces in new construction**
**Woodburning conversions – Great Stove and Fireplace Changeout**
- Wood smoke emissions have decreased dramatically

## Power Plants

- Power plant emissions estimated to contribute about 10-15% of PM-2.5 and visibility
***Xcel Energy*** implemented a voluntary emission reduction program to reduce emissions at 3 coal-fired metro area power plants:
- Up to 50% NOx reduction
- 70% average SO2 reduction
- 85% SO2 reduction at larger units
- Repowered some smaller units with natural gas

## Diesel Vehicles

- Colorado established a Diesel Inspection/ Maintenance Program in 1988
**Diesel Opacity Inspection Program**
**Fleet self-inspection program**
- Economic incentives for alternative fuels
- Transit company has purchased alternative fuels and hybrid fuel buses
- Currently launching new ***Clean Air Fleets*** outreach and awareness program
**School bus fleets**
**Truck fleets**

## Street Sanding

- Major contributor to PM-10, but also important to a lesser degree for PM-2.5
- Since 1989, amount of sand applied to Denver area roadways has been reduced by nearly 60%:
**Guidelines developed by street maintenance officials**
**Commitments made by local governments and CDOT**
**Better management practices**
**Use of alternative deicing materials**
**Increased street sweeping**

## Reduced Driving

**Voluntary reductions part of HPD message**
**Region-wide networks of Transportation Management Organizations**
**EcoPass/Guaranteed Ride Home program**
**Rush Hour Relief program**
**Developing a network of transit lines and HOV lanes**

## Future Challenges

- Maintain current air quality standards
- Maintenance plans in place
- Achieve new air quality standards
- PM-2.5 standard
- 8-hour ozone standard
- Reduce the Brown Cloud

## Voluntary Ozone Reduction Program

- Implemented in 1999 after high readings in 1998
- Ozone alerts
- Public information materials                               and messages
- Media coverage
- Voluntary RVP reduction program
***“******Stop at the Click”*** vehicle refueling program
***“******Put a Cap on Ozone”*** gas cap program
***“******Mow Down Pollution”*** lawnmower exchange
***“******Citizens Choose Clean Air”*** promotion
***“******Repair the Air”*** high-emitter repair program