Ozone Early Action CompactsClearing the Air in Tennessee

Prepared by the

Tennessee Department of Environment

and Conservation

for the

Tennessee Pollution Prevention RoundtableJune 2003

Tennessee Pollution Prevention (TP2) Roundtable

Government, industry, universities, and environmental groups dedicated to preventing pollution

In 1998, met year 2000 goal of reducing emissions of toxic chemicals by 50% from 1989levels

Now focusing on reducing ozone levels through Early Action Compacts

What are Early Action Compacts?

Broad partnerships with government, business and citizens

Provide cleaner air for Tennesseans

Voluntarily improve air quality ahead of federal requirements

Implement local strategies for meeting the federal 8-hour ozone standard

Early Action Compact Areas

Chattanooga Region

Knoxville Region

Tri-Cities RegionNashville Region

Memphis Region

Putnam Co.

Haywood Co.

Southeastern areas exceeding the 8-hour ozone standard

Source: www.epa.gov

Ozone (O3) is a colorless gas that is “good up high, bad nearby”

Source: www.epa.gov

Ozone harms our lungs… Aggravates asthma

Reduces lung capacity

Increases vulnerability toillnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis

Can cause permanent lung damage after long-term exposure

Affects especially children, elderly, those with respiratory problems, and those who spend much time outdoors

Ozone harms our economy… Affects tourism

Reduces crop and forest yields

Restricts economic development

Threatens federal highway funds

Ozone in the Smokies damages 30 species of plants, causing visible leaf injury and growth reductions. Source: National Park Service

Ozone-Injured Black Cherry

What causes nearby ozone? Nitrogen oxides (NOx) + volatile organicNitrogen oxides (NOx) + volatile organic

compounds (VOCs) + certain weather = Ozonecompounds (VOCs) + certain weather = Ozone

Source: www.epa.gov

Sources of VOCsMotor vehiclesStationary sourcesSolvents, lawn and garden equipmentTrees

Sources of NOxMotor vehiclesElectric utilitiesIndustrial, commercial and residential sources that burn fuel

How is ozone regulated?

EPA sets federal air quality standards

Old 1-hour standard .12 ppm

New 8-hour standard .08 ppm

State monitors ozone levels

EPA designates nonattainment areas

What does “nonattainment” mean?

Measured ozone levels can exceed the health-based standard

The air is not always healthy to breathe

How would nonattainment affect my county?

Public stigma of nonattainment

Impacts on economic development

Tougher permitting for industry

Industrial recruitment difficult

Highway funds can be held back

What are the sources of NOxin Tennessee?

1999 Tennessee NOx Emissions (2022 tpd)

25.6%

11.7%

39.6%

15.6%0.2%

5.0%0.3%

1.5%0.2%

Elec Util

Ind comb

Other comb

Chem Prod

Metal Proc

Petrol Ind

Other Ind

Solvent

Waste Disp

On Road

Off Road

Misc.

Source: University of Tennessee, 2003

Which vehicles emit the most NOx?

2007 Emissions Contribution by Vehicle TypeTennessee Data

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

LDGV LDGT12 LDGT34 HDGV MC LDDV LDDT HDDV

Vehicle Category

Pe

rce

nt

of

To

tal

Em

iss

ion

s

VOC NOx COSource: University of Tennessee, 2003

What are sources of NOx inthe Chattanooga region?

1999 Chattanooga EAC NOx Emissions (114 tpd)

16.4%

65.9%

1.6%1.1%

0.2%9.4%

0.1%

5.3%

Elec Util

Ind comb

Other comb

Chem Prod

Metal Proc

Petrol Ind

Other Ind

Solvent

Waste Disp

On Road

Off Road

Misc.Source: University of Tennessee, 2003

What are sources of NOx inthe Kingsport region?

1999 NOx Emissions in Kingsport EAC (171 tpd)

32.0%

32.7%

11.6%

0.9%1.8%1.7%

0.0%

18.8%

0.3%

0.1%

Elec UtilInd combOther combChem ProdMetal ProcPetrol IndOther IndSolventWaste DispOn RoadOff RoadMisc.

Source: University of Tennessee, 2003

What are sources of NOx inthe Knoxville region?

1999 NOx Emissions in Knoxville EAC (218 tpd)

9.4%

4.7%

49.3%

13.5%

0.2%

17.0%

0.2%

5.5%

Elec UtilInd combOther combChem ProdMetal ProcPetrol IndOther IndSolventWaste DispOn RoadOff RoadMisc.

Source: University of Tennessee, 2003

What are sources of NOx inthe Memphis region?

1999 Memphis EAC NOx Emissions (346 tpd)

16.2%

32.1%

22.2%

10.5%

17.8%

0.8%0.3%0.1%

Elec Util

Ind comb

Other comb

Chem Prod

Metal Proc

Petrol Ind

Other Ind

Solvent

Waste Disp

On Road

Off Road

Misc.Source: University of Tennessee, 2003

What are sources of NOx inthe Nashville region?

1999 NOx Emissions in Nashville EAC (352 tpd)

53.3%

18.2%

2.6%

5.3%

11.0%

9.3%

Elec UtilInd combOther combChem ProdMetal ProcPetrol IndOther IndSolventWaste DispOn RoadOff RoadMisc.

Source: University of Tennessee, 2003

What are sources of NOx in Haywood County?

Source: University of Tennessee, 2003

1999 NOx Emissions in Haywood EAC (18 tpd)

55.2%

12.4%

32.0%

0.2%

Elec UtilInd combOther combChem ProdMetal ProcPetrol IndOther IndSolventWaste DispOn RoadOff RoadMisc.

How will the new 8-hour ozone standard affect Tennessee?

New standard much more demanding

Many Tennessee counties will NOT meet new standard without additional controls

Industrial controls alone not sufficient— must also reduce vehicle emissions

Local support and participation needed to attain new standard

What has EPA done to reduce ozone?NOx reductions from TVA and large

industrial boilers

Low-sulfur gasoline (phased in 2004 -2007)

New emission standards for passenger cars (phased in 2004 - 2007)

New on-road diesel engine and fuel standards (phased in 2006 - 2010)

What can Tennesseans do to reduce ozone?State air pollution regulations to reduce emissions from factories and power plants

Reducing emissions from low-level sources will have greatest local impact

Local requirements to reduce vehicle emissions

Voluntary actions by government, business and citizens

State writes control measures into a State Implementation Plan (SIP)

What have Tennessee’s EAC partners committed to do? Take early action to reduce ozone levels

Actively participate in selecting and implementing local control measures

State leads on technical work and regulates stationary sources outside of local programs

Implement voluntary and regulatory strategies that address all sources

Deadlines for Tennessee

June 16, 2003: State sends EPA likely control measures for each compact

March 2004: Local areas submit air quality improvement plan to state

April 2004: EPA designates nonattainment areas, but defers effective date for compact areas

Deadlines for Tennessee

December 2004: State Air Pollution Control Board adopts control measures into SIP

Dec. 31, 2004: State submits SIP to EPAMarch 2005: Implement emission

reduction measures2005 - 2007: Measure ozone levelsOctober 2007: Attainment achieved

What are the benefits of early action?

Cleaner air soonerLocal planning and decisions

Broad public input

More economic opportunityAvoid burdensome regulations

8-hour transportation conformityOffsets

What can we do? Reduce vehicle use

Trip reduction programs

Enhance transit and other transportation alternatives

Commuter Choice incentives

Employee education programs

Use cleaner fuels—natural gas, propane, biodiesel, ethanol

Implement Air Quality Action Days

What can we do? Reduce off-road mobile

emissions Lawn equipment

Construction equipment

Enhance energy efficiency

Limit long duration idling

Support national clean air legislation

www.tdec.net/apc/eac