Agenda - 05-04-2004-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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/`fTTG~~mt~~~ Proposed Orange County Air Quality Response April, 2004 i. Joint Orange County-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory and Action Plan (Underway) As members of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICI,EI) and the Cities for Climate Protection program, the three communities are working toward the creation of an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions.. The Cities for Climate Protection Campaign goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities. These emissions are contributing to global warming and air pollution. Actions that reduce these emissions not only protect the global climate but also improve the quality of life in our communities. Emissions reduction efforts focus on two primary greenhouse gases: C02 and methane. CO2 is released when fossil fuels -- oil, coal and natural gas -- are burned to power our cars, produce electricity or heat our buildings. Methane is emitted in urban areas when garbage and waste products decompose, primarily in landfills. There is widespread scientific agreement that the increasing quantity of these gases in the atmosphere is causing worldwide temperatures to rise and increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Local governments play a key role because they directly influence and control many of the activities that produce these emissions, Decisions about land use and development, investments in public transit, energy-efficient building codes, waste reduction and recycling programs all affect local air quality and living standards as well as the global climate.. The CCP Campaign is an opportunity for cities and counties to take practical steps which reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate multiple benefits for their communities. The three jurisdictions are currently review qualifications from firms that replied to an RFQ, and hope to have a recommendation for the elected boards to consider soon. Around 50% of the funding for the project is coming from the Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. 2. Local Ground-Level Ozone (03) Strategies Assessment (Underway - Commission for the Environment) On April I5, the Triangle region will be designated as a "non-attainment" area for the new ground-level ozone (O,) air quality standard. The new Federal (USEPA) ozone standard was adjusted in 2002 to reflect an 8-hour measurement, The Triangle is one of four areas in North Carolina and a number of areas nationally that would be non-attainment under the new EPA rules. Air pollution from ground- level ozone has been shown to have detrimental effects on public health; damaging lung tissue and aggravating or increasing susceptibility to respiratory disorders such as asthma.. Ground-level ozone is a major air pollution problem in many American metropolitan regions. The primary sources of emissions contributing to 03 are