Last week, the U.S. EPA modified the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Pollution (PM2.5) to require a 20% reduction in the maximum allowable amount of soot released from smokestacks, diesel trucks, and other pollutant sources.  Soot, or fine particulate matter, is made up of microscopic particles released from smokestacks, diesel trucks, wood-burning stoves and other sources and contributes to haze.

What do these new regulations mean? 

Americans will breathe cleaner air!  Some of the other intended effects include:

• Reduced incidence of diseases, including lung cancer and respiratory diseases, such as asthma and cardiovascular diseases - and a reduction in incidences of the heart attacks, strokes and asthma attacks these conditions contribute to.
• Decreased premature death related to the diseases - about 15,000 fewer deaths annually, according to the American Lung Association.
• Improved developmental environment for children and improved outcomes for older adults - groups who are more significantly affected by both short and long term exposure to air pollution. 

This also means that communities may need to up their air pollution prevention game.  Communities are responsibile for meeting the new standard - a reduction of 15 micrograms per cubic meter to 12 micrograms per cubic meter - or potentially face federal fines.  The EPA has identified 66 counties in eight states who do not meet the standard currently; however they predict that this number will be reduced to seven by the time the rule is fully enforced in 2020.   Local governments may need to consider what costs this will incur and potential effects on the local economy - how will this effect utility management?   Will this impose new costs on local governments?  While unknowns lie ahead with regard to the implications of new regulations, an opportunity is presented to employ new strategies to more comprehensively address air pollution issues at the local government level. 

A few resources to check out:

Soot Free for the Climate is a European initiative that includes a City Ranking, which provides several examples of local solutions to improve air quality quality and how to use them.  The ranking, which includes cities with high air pollution level and those expected to be good examples, focuses on soot reduction and includes an adequate overview of measures being taken in Europe local governments to improve air quality.

The U.S. EPA provides guidance and education about air pollution strategies, policies and programs:

• The U.S. EPA provides four main steps for an Air Pollution Control Strategy.  
• The U.S. EPA also provides access to  the Air Pollution Training Institute (APTI), a professional development program designed to provide technical air pollution training to state, tribal, and local air pollution professionals, and anyone interested in how to understand and implement environmental programs and policies.  Web-based, classroom, and self-instructional classes are available free of charge to employees of multi-state, state, local, and tribal air pollution control agencies.

Do you anticipate challenges in meeting the new EPA standards for soot pollution; and, if so, how will your community meet them?