The Regional Air Quality Council's e-newsletter | |
|
Welcome!
If you're new to our list, The Regional Air Quality Council (also known as “the RAQC”), is a state-adjacent nonprofit that serves the 9 county area here in the Front Range of Colorado that’s out of compliance with EPA air quality standards. The main issue we currently work on through both policy and public engagement is ground-level ozone.
Colorless and odorless, ground-level ozone is different than wildfire smoke, particulate matter, or other haze that you can see or smell. This invisible pollutant even accumulates the most on hot and sunny blue-sky days, when the Colorado air appears crystal clear. Yet, ground-level ozone is the Front Range’s most pressing air quality problem, impacting our health and environment each summer.
Follow us on social media and visit our website to learn more: raqc.org
| |
|
The Regional Transportation District's two-month Zero Fare for Better Air (ZFBA) initiative in 2023 led to an estimated reduction of more than 9 million vehicle miles traveled during peak ozone months of July and August.
To assess the environmental impact of the 2023 ZFBA initiative, RTD partnered with the Regional Air Quality Council. Our analysis utilized the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model to estimate the initiative’s overall impact on the region’s air quality.
| |
|
|
This analysis found that the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative helped reduce both ozone precursors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), by more than 1 ton each (2,583 pounds of volatile organic compounds and 2,385 pounds of nitrogen oxides) during July and August 2023. In the presence of heat and sunlight, VOCs and NOx are what combine to form invisible but harmful ground-level ozone.
Additionally, estimates show more than 6 million pounds of greenhouse gases were eliminated when individuals opted to use public transit instead of a single occupancy vehicle.
| |
|
On October 10, 2023, the Regional Air Quality Council presented awards to four Colorado legislators at its first ever clean air happy hour.
Senator Winter, Senator Hansen, Representative Willford, and Representative Bacon (pictured below between RAQC executive director Mike Silverstein, left, and Board Chair Mike Foote, right) were recognized as 2023 Clean Air Champions for their vital efforts to maintain a healthy environment and clean air for all Coloradans. These four legislators have all been sponsors and leaders on bills related to air quality legislation in the past year.
Learn more about their efforts for clean air in Colorado and RAQC Clean Air Champions.
| |
The RAQC would also like to thank its community partners, board members, and all who came to mingle with fellow clean air enthusiasts at the RAQC’s first ever clean air happy hour. Thank you also to event sponsor Ace Hardware, whose support provided drinks and snacks. | |
|
Staff at the RAQC together achieved first place for the 2023 Way to Go Go-Tober Challenge, in the “extra small” company category (1-50 employees). The annual, month-long Go-Tober Challenge is hosted by the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ (DRCOG) Way to Go program each October. 79 companies and 886 individuals participated in 2023.
As the lead planning agency for the Denver Metro / North Front Range Nonattainment Area, the RAQC is proud of its dedicated staff for living its values and upholding its mission to improve air quality in the region.
| |
|
The RAQC website now comes with accessibility adjustments, so visitors to the website may select options that tailor the website to their needs. Users can click on the blue and white icon of the stick figure person in the lower left hand corner to access these options. | |
Policy, Planning, & Programs | | |
|
|
Proposal heads to Air Quality Control Commission
On July 7th, the RAQC Board approved new small engine control strategies to curb ozone contributions from lawn and garden equipment. These recommended regulations were forwarded to the Air Quality Control Commission for consideration and will be discussed from December 12-15, 2023.
| |
|
The RAQC proposal is balanced to quickly achieve emissions while giving businesses time to adapt, with more benefits achieved over the next few years.
Equipment sales and use restrictions apply to small engines like push mowers, leaf blowers (which pollute more than almost any other equipment), and the like.
Proposed regulations:
- Prohibit the sale of small gas-powered lawn and garden equipment starting in 2025.
- Government agencies will be required to stop using small engine equipment for public spaces and must use electric or other alternative options during summer months in 2025.
- Businesses (commercial property owners, landscaping companies, private golf courses) will be required to stop using small engine equipment for public spaces and must use electric or other alternative options during summer months in 2026.
What's not included/exemptions/notes:
- This proposal is for the nine-county ozone nonattainment area only. The RAQC is not proposing statewide regulations.
- This proposal is for small engines only. Larger equipment, like ride-on mowers, are not included to ease the transition and because electric options are not yet as readily available, but more are coming out all the time.
- Individual residents can continue to use old gas equipment until it's time to replace them. There is no ban on personal, residential use of gas mowers and small equipment, but of course individuals transitioning early helps reduce our ozone problem.
- The sales and seasonal use restrictions are not intended to apply to forest or grassland management nor do these restrictions apply to fire hazard reduction activities in or near wildland areas or the wildland urban interface.
- The seasonal use restrictions are not intended to apply to abating or preventing damage during a declared emergency.
- The sales and seasonal use restrictions are not intended to apply to equipment used by first responders to provide emergency services.
Lawn and Garden / Parks equipment has an oversized impact on our air quality in the Front Range region, and these small changes would have a big role in helping the front range meet attainment for ground-level ozone.
The AQCC is considering several proposals and accepting feedback from the public. To send a note of your support, please email cdphe.aqcc-comments@state.co.us and express your support for the RAQC's proposal.
| |
Other RAQC Programs & Initiatives | |
|
Reduce Idle Pollution
Vehicle idling releases 150 balloons worth of air pollution each minute, including ozone precursors, PM 2.5 and carbon dioxide. Idling is negative for public health, the climate and because it wastes fuel, it's a waste of money!
The RAQC will be initiating a local government outreach program to share anti-idling best practices and sample ordinances with municipalities and counties. We'll also be looking for elementary schools to pilot a school program to educate kids about air pollution and convince parents not to idle at school pick up and drop off. And finally, we'll be offering grants to food trucks and similar small businesses that want to replace their diesel or gas auxiliary power units with batteries.
| |
|
Auto Maintenance Program
The Regional Air Quality Council's Auto Maintenance program is a new initiative being developed by the RAQC. This program is designed to identify and repair high-emitting vehicles at no cost to the owner, contributing to the overall improvement of air quality.
| |
|
This program complements the existing Vehicle Air Quality Repair Program (VARP), which focuses on assisting vehicles that have failed emission tests, collectively working towards a cleaner and healthier environment. More details will be available next spring. | |
|
Mow Down Pollution
As part of our effort to electrify small engines, the RAQC helps individuals, local governments, and businesses go electric.
-
Local Governments: Thanks to special dedicated funding from the state legislature, the RAQC is helping local governments go electric as well. This year, we've awarded approximately $1.2 million to local governments to electrify equipment for their parks departments and other outdoor spaces!
-
Small Business Grants: RAQC and Ace Hardware are running a pilot program to help small businesses go electric too. Commercial lawncare companies can apply for a $3,000 grant to help. If you know a local landscaping company, encourage them to apply before the full program rolls out next year! Learn more here.
-
Residential: The RAQC's residential mow down pollution program is one of the organization's longest running, helping individuals swap out their gas-powered mowers for cleaner alternatives. Starting in 2024, participating retailers will offer 30% off electric mowers thanks to a new state program. The RAQC will also be offering some vouchers in addition to the state discount to further incentivize the switch! Stay tuned for more details next spring.
| |
|
Simple Steps. Better Air.
Ground-level ozone is primarily a summer problem here in the Colorado Front Range, but we can improve our local air quality year-round. This winter, take some simple steps to reduce your emissions!
| |
|
Have a say in how air quality can be improved!
Please join us in attending a virtual community stakeholder public meeting with the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) to discuss equitable strategies for reducing pollution across 12 counties spanning Denver, Lakewood and Aurora. This is the second public forum to discuss strategies to reduce pollution equitably in Colorado.
To guide this planning work, DRCOG understands that a just transition will require a strong equity lens and approach. As part of this process they are hoping to collect input on ideas and priorities from across the region to guide the planning effort.
The Call for Community Insight Public Meeting Part 2 is on December 11th from 4-5:30pm. To register, use this link: bit.ly/CPRG_Grant_CommunityForum2.
Learn more: engage.drcog.org/cprg.
| |
|
|
Much of RAQC's funding comes from contributions by local governments or contracts to run specific programs, but often we're asked how people can contribute directly. In order to create more programs to reduce ozone in the Front Range, we need your help!
Please consider donating $10, $25, $50, or more to the RAQC's new 501c3 Clean Air Fund. Your contribution is tax deductible. Funds will go towards creating new programs that benefit our communities.
Please consider making a contribution today.
| |
|
|
Approved on July 25, 2023, the pilot program Zero Fare for Youth allows riders ages 19 and under to use RTD’s services for free, anywhere in the district’s 9-county region, through August 31, 2024. All trains, buses, and FlexRide services are included in the program.
To participate, riders must present a valid student or government-issued ID. RTD hopes to continue the program after the pilot. For more information, including a full list of acceptable ID options, visit:
rtd-denver.com/zerofare/youth.
| |
|
The RAQC Vision...Clean Air Provides Us The Opportunity To Breathe Easy! | |
The Regional Air Quality Council is the lead air quality planning agency for the Denver Metro/North Front Range Ozone Nonattainment Area, charged by the Governor to work with all sectors of our community and economy to better understand the air quality issues confronting the region. Our mission is to collaborate to improve air quality and protect Colorado’s health, environment, and economy through planning, policy development, and program implementation.
What is the RAQC? Answers to this question, as well as what the RAQC does and the RAQC’s priorities, can all be found in our digital overview booklet.
| | | | |
