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Air Quality Crisis in Yakima: PM2.5 Implications & Clean Air Act Compliance

Explore the impacts of PM2.5 pollution in Yakima County and the efforts to maintain clean air standards, with insights into the Federal Clean Air Act compliance. Learn about YRCAA's crucial role in monitoring, enforcing laws, and educating communities. Discover the challenges faced regarding PM2.5 levels and the potential consequences of non-attainment designation. Stay informed about air quality programs, regulations, and community initiatives aimed at safeguarding public health and the environment.

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Air Quality Crisis in Yakima: PM2.5 Implications & Clean Air Act Compliance

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  1. Air Qualityin Yakima County The Ramifications of PM2.5 “Non-Attainment” Status FY2009-2010

  2. Why are we here? • Human Activity • Is the major contributor to air pollution • Air pollution affects health • Issues of Health • Are the driving force behind the Federal Clean Air Act

  3. Why are we here? • YRCAA is the local agency charged with maintaining high standards of Air Quality • Guide (communities) • Educate and Inform • Guard (the air shed) • Collect and Interpret Data • Develop and Administer Air Programs • Enforce (the law) when necessary • Inspections • Issue warnings • Issue Penalties

  4. Why are we here? • CAA – higher standards set in 2006 for the allowable amount of PM2.5 in the air • Yakima County is on the verge of exceeding the 24-hour standard. • More work is needed to: • Avoid “Non-Attainment” designation, or • Regain “Attainment” status

  5. Where We’ve Been • Designated non-attainment for PM10 • Developed PM10 re-attainment program • Took 17 years to accomplish redesignation as attainment • Direct and indirect costs estimated at 8-10 Million Dollars • We can do it again

  6. Where We Are • Fighting to attain new PM2.5 standard • 2008 – days of exceedance: 3 verified • 2009 – days of exceedance: 2 already • Calling winter burn bans based on air monitor data & modeling • Limiting agricultural burning with allocations • Replacing uncertified wood stoves • Educating the public

  7. PM2.5

  8. Standard = 35 Micrograms of PM2.5per meter3

  9. Where We’re Headed • Non-Attainment – a foregone conclusion ? • Consequences: • Regulation 1 revisions • Attainment planning; SIP Revisions • More enforcement staff in the field, more regularly • Contract patrols • Increased Notices of Violation and Penalty activity

  10. Where We’re Headed • Ongoing Public Education efforts • Public forums/events • Includes bi-lingual outreach • Regular media use • Additional literature • Reprints • New flyers, brochures, info sheets

  11. Where We’re Headed • Impact on Households – Indirect • Possible withheld Federal Transportation funds • More expensive pollution control equipment for industry • Higher unemployment levels – crime rate effects • Impact on Households – Direct • Tighter solid-fuel home heating device restrictions • Move to alternative sources of heat • Tighter outdoor burning restrictions • Move to alternative methods of debris disposal • Yakima area becomes less attractive to new business/industry • less income, fewer jobs, restricted growth & revenue • Some loss of established businesses • lost income, jobs, tax base

  12. Where We’re Headed Impact on Business and Community – Indirect • Move to alternative methods of debris disposal • Unhappy property owners • Higher unemployment levels • Crime rate rises • More demand on public assistance, food banks, etc.

  13. Where We’re Headed • Impact on Business and Community – Direct • Possible withheld Federal Transportation funds • Tighter outdoor burning restrictions • Agriculture • Weed abatement • More expensive pollution control equipment for industry • Loss of established businesses • Increased cost of doing business • Decreased revenue on solid fuel devices and related sales • Yakima area becomes less attractive to new business/industry

  14. Funding Comparison: 2009-2010

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