Environment DEC
From the October 2007 issue
Proposed SIP Revisions will Improve Air Quality
Plans to reduce ozone pollution from car exhaust in New York City are included in the revised SIP
Two proposals that will help New York State achieve improved air quality are currently available for public comment. The State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions are required under the federal Clean Air Act and demonstrate how the 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone will be met in the New York Metropolitan Area (NYMA) and Poughkeepsie area.
Revisions Target Ozone's Precursors
Ozone is formed primarily by the photochemical reaction of other pollutants, referred to as precursors, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). These pollutants come from a wide variety of sources, including automobiles and other mobile sources, and industrial processes. Ozone pollution is a concern during the summer months when the weather conditions needed to form ground-level ozone-sunshine and hot temperatures-normally occur. Ozone is unhealthy to breathe, especially for people with respiratory diseases and for people who are active outdoors. Symptoms include reduced lung function and chest pain, and can lead to respiratory diseases such as bronchitis or asthma.
Under the Clean Air Act, states must evaluate the sources and emissions of ozone precursors to determine where emissions can be reduced to lower the amount of ozone in the air and meet the air quality standard. The results of this evaluation and the means by which emissions will be reduced are summarized in a document referred to as a state implementation plan, or SIP. Emission reductions will be achieved from many types of sources, including stationary sources, on and off road mobile sources, and other sources such as consumer products in which VOCs are present.
In 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the national air quality standard for ground level ozone, setting it at 0.08 parts per million. Nonattainment areas have ozone levels exceeding the 8-hour ozone national air quality standard. In April 2004, EPA designated areas throughout the country that exceeded the standards for 8-hour ozone as being in nonattainment. These designations were based primarily on monitoring data collected nationwide by the states and the Clean Air Act requires State Implementation Plans to be developed to address ways the state will work to achieve the ozone standard in nonattainment areas.
Counties Affected by the Revisions
The NYMA proposed SIP includes Suffolk, Nassau, Kings, Queens, Richmond, New York, Bronx, Westchester and Rockland counties. Dutchess, Orange and Putnam counties are included in the SIP for the Poughkeepsie area. The full text of the proposed SIPs is on the State Implementation Plan web page of DEC's website.
Both proposed revisions contain a baseline emissions inventory, projected emissions inventories, a predictive model attainment demonstration, and control measures and programs implemented to attain the 8-hour ozone standard. Control measures include regulations for power plants, consumer products, printing operations, asphalt paving and industrial boilers. When combined with DEC's existing programs, including low emission vehicles, inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles and architectural coatings, these measures will realize the necessary emission reductions.
Projected Ozone Reductions
Because of the reductions proposed in these revisions, VOC emissions in the New York portion of the NYMA are projected to decrease 295 tons per ozone season day from 2002 baseline emissions of 1217 tons to 922 tons in 2012. For NOx, projected decreases are 207 tons per ozone season day, from 2002 baseline emissions of 762 tons to 555 in 2012.
For the Poughkeepsie area, VOC emissions are projected to decrease 28 tons per ozone season day, from 2002 baseline emissions of 309 tons to 281 tons in 2009. For NOx, projected decreases are 17 tons per ozone season day, from 2002 baseline emissions of 94 tons to 77 tons in 2009.
Hearing Dates and Comment Periods
A legislative hearing was held on October 2 at DEC's Region 2 Annex in Long Island City to allow for public comment on the SIP prepared for the NYMA. Written comments on the proposed SIPs must be received by October 10 and should be sent to: Robert D. Bielawa, P.E., NYSDEC, Division of Air Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3251, telephone (518) 402-8396; email airsips@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
For the Poughkeepsie SIP, a legislative hearing will be held on October 4 at 2 PM at the Marriott Residence Inn, 14 Schuyler Blvd., Fishkill, New York 12524. Written statements must be received by October 11 and should be sent to the contact information above.
The proposed SIP revisions may be obtained from Mr. Bielawa or any of the following DEC regional offices:
DEC Region 1 Office: Building #40, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11790, Attention: Ajay Shah
DEC Region 2 Office: Hunters Point Plaza, 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, NY 11101, Attention: Sam Lieblich
DEC Region 3 Office: 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561, Attention: Ken Grzyb
