/news/ en lee@rabbleandrouser.com Copyright 2010 2010-08-24T21:50:20+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/epa_delays_the_release_of_the_final_ozone_naaqs/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/epa_delays_the_release_of_the_final_ozone_naaqs/#When:21:50:20Z EPA announced it is delaying the release of the final ozone NAAQS until approximately October 31, 2010. A status report filed by EPA with the court announcing this new date is available here: http://airweb.timberlakepublishing.com/rc_files/5042/ENV_DEFENSE-ozone_08_--_Second_Abeyance_Status_Report.pdf 2010-08-24T21:50:20+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/4th_maximum_ozone_values_table_ppb_through_august_29_2010/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/4th_maximum_ozone_values_table_ppb_through_august_29_2010/#When:20:53:11Z Click here to view the updated table. The ozone standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calculated using a rolling three-year average of the fourth (4th) maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations. An official violation occurs when the rolling three-year average meets or exceeds 75 parts per billion (ppb), a standard set in 2008. The table above shows current monitoring data for the Denver metropolitan region including 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th maximum values as well as data for 2008 and 2009 to calculate the average for three years. The region is currently designated as a "non-attainment" region by the U.S. EPA. A new, stricter ozone standard is expected in August 2010. The Voluntary Ozone Reduction Program began in 1999 in response to unusually high ozone levels in the summer of 1998. The RAQC’s ozone education campaign – "Let's Take Care of Our Summer Air" – includes issuance of Ozone Action Alerts, advertising and community events. In addition, the RAQC posts information on the campaign and asks citizens to Join Our Clean Air Community on the Pledge page of the web site. For additional information on ground-level ozone, please visit the "What is Ground-level ozone?" page on the site or the RAQC’s Web site at http://www.raqc.org or call (303) 629-5450, ext. 220. 2010-08-23T20:53:11+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/2008_ozone_sip_approved_by_epa/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/2008_ozone_sip_approved_by_epa/#When:17:17:19Z On July 21, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Proposed Rule for approval the 2008 ozone state implementation plan (SIP) in the federal register (Vol. 75 , Number 139, July 21, 2010).  For the final SIP and supporting documents, please click here. 2010-08-04T17:17:19+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/2010_4th_maximum_ozone_values_available_on_ozoneaware.org/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/2010_4th_maximum_ozone_values_available_on_ozoneaware.org/#When:16:39:59Z Click here to view the updated table. The ozone standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calculated using a rolling three-year average of the fourth (4th) maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations.  An official violation occurs when the rolling three-year average meets or exceeds 75 parts per billion (ppb), a standard set in 2008. The table above shows current monitoring data for the Denver metropolitan region including 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th maximum values as well as data for 2008 and 2009 to calculate the average for three years. The region is currently designated as a "non-attainment" region by the U.S. EPA. A new, stricter ozone standard is expected in August 2010. The Voluntary Ozone Reduction Program began in 1999 in response to unusually high ozone levels in the summer of 1998. The RAQC’s ozone education campaign – "Let's Take Care of Our Summer Air" – includes issuance of Ozone Action Alerts, advertising and community events. In addition, the RAQC posts information on the campaign and asks citizens to Join Our Clean Air Community on the Pledge page of the web site.For additional information on ground-level ozone, please visit the "What is Ground-level ozone?" page on the site or the RAQC’s Web site at http://www.raqc.org or call (303) 629-5450, ext. 220.   2010-07-16T16:39:59+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/2010_video_contest/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/2010_video_contest/#When:22:21:43Z The OzoneAware campaign is launching its first-ever video contest to help promote all the ways citizens can help to reduce ozone pollution throughout the Denver region.  The deadline for submissions has been exteded to Tuesday August 31, 2010. Check out the VIDEO of the contest rules read by the RAQC's own Sarah Anderson.  2010-06-04T22:21:43+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/raqc_to_host_workshop_to_kickoff_ozone_season/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/raqc_to_host_workshop_to_kickoff_ozone_season/#When:17:24:15Z Summer is ozone pollution season, which means it’s time to refresh our knowledge of this harmful pollutant and strengthen our commitment to Clean Air. It’s critical that you have current information and all available resources to engage and motivate your community. Join the Regional Air Quality Council, special guest speaker meteorologist Mike Nelson of KMGH 7 News, as well fellow leaders in health, transportation and the environment. Important presentations will be made on the state of our metro area’s summer air. We’ll also share more about the critical nature of volunteer efforts and the Ozone Aware campaign’s 2010 launching of the Clean Air Community. You’ll leave with the knowledge and tools necessary to promote Clean Air in your Community. June 8, 2010Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce1445 Market Street, 4th floor board room9:30 – noonPlease RSVP by June 4th to Rebecca Chazin or 303-629-5450 x204 VIEW INVITATION AND AGENDA Mike Silverstein's Presentation Pat Reddy's Presentation Sarah and Stephanie's Presentation   2010-06-02T17:24:15+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/leaders_to_convene_for_air_quality_transportation_and_land_use_workshop/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/leaders_to_convene_for_air_quality_transportation_and_land_use_workshop/#When:16:57:34Z Contact: Ken Lloyd Executive Director Regional Air Quality Council (303) 629-5450 ext. 250 Leaders to Convene For Air Quality, Transportation and Land Use Workshop DENVER – On June 4, the Regional Air Quality Council will convene and co-host a meeting of leaders from across the community and the Country to advance the region's understanding of ways to improve air quality, through such efforts as connecting transportation and land use planning – all aimed at reducing vehicle use and Colorado ozone air pollution. The meeting, 9 a.m. at the Oxford Hotel in Denver, is being co-hosted by the office of Gov. Bill Ritter, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Metro Mayors Caucus and sponsored by the Governors' Institute on Community Design. Peers and experts from around the U.S. with experience tackling these issues will participate in this important discussion. Recognizing a formidable challenge before Colorado, Gov. Ritter has charged the Regional Air Quality Council with developing an effective plan for reducing ozone concentrations along the Front Range. The EPA is expected in August of this year to finalize a requirement that would reduce the 8-hour ozone air quality standard from .075 parts per million to .06-.07 parts per million. “In order to achieve the new ozone standard, we will need to consider strategies for reducing emissions from stationary sources, such as power plants, transportation vehicles and other sources,” said Gov. Ritter. “This means considering all options for reducing vehicle miles traveled that reduce ozone precursor emissions, including those options involving principles of sustainability and land use, as well as options involving vehicle and fuel technology and industrial air pollution sources.” Andy Spielman, Regional Air Quality Council Chairman agreed, stating, "We have a big job before us and are eager to hear from our partners here at home and from other communities about creative ways to tackle these tough problems together." Former Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening, president of the Governor’s Institute on Community Design and Bill Mosher, Managing Director of Trammel Crow in Denver will be among the speakers at the workshop. Ken Weil, Gov. Ritter’s deputy chief of staff for policy and initiatives, will represent the governor at the meeting. Representatives from the oil and gas, automotive, transit and real estate development industries will be present, as well as the environmental community, executive directors from the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, Transportation and Local Affairs, as well as local and regional elected officials. Topics at the workshop will include “connecting transportation and land use with Clean Air Act planning needs at the regional level” and “how the state can support innovation in transportation and land use planning to meet air quality goals.” For more information about the Regional Air Quality Council and to access the meeting agenda, visit its Web site at www.raqc.org . To download a pdf version of this press release, click here. 2010-06-01T16:57:34+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/mow_down_update/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/mow_down_update/#When:15:29:26Z Mow Down Pollution lawn mower exchange event on May 1, 2010 was a huge success!  The RAQC traded in old mowers for deep discounts on new, earth-friendly Neuton brand alternatives.  There are still mowers available by clicking through to the RAQC's dedicated Mow Down Pollution page. For more information about RAQC or the Mow Down Pollution event, please call Sarah Anderson, communications manager, at 303-629-5450 x 220 or visit OzoneAware.org. About Regional Air Quality Council (www.RAQC.org) The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is the lead air quality-planning agency for the seven-county Denver-metropolitan area. In existence since 1989, the Council’s main purpose is to develop plans and programs to keep the region in compliance with federal air quality standards, with significant input from area citizens, businesses and local governments. The RAQC also oversees the development and implementation of air quality outreach and education programs throughout the region. The RAQC has partnered with the RidgeGate development for the Mow Down Pollution event to help raise awareness of air quality issues in Colorado and provide the residents of Colorado with cost effective earth-friendly lawn care options. The event RidgeGate development is a mixed-use sustainable community that will eventually span more than 3,500 acres in Lone Tree, Colorado. For more information on RidgeGate, please visit www.ridgegatecolorado.com. 2010-04-19T15:29:26+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/epa_proposes_stricter_ozone_standard/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/epa_proposes_stricter_ozone_standard/#When:16:52:57Z EPA Strengthens Smog Standard/Proposed standards, strictest to date, will protect the health of all Americans, especially children. To view the release in its entirety, click here. 2010-01-11T16:52:57+00:00 http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/raqc_releases_advertising_rfp_for_ozone_outreach_program/ http://www.ozoneaware.org/news/raqc_releases_advertising_rfp_for_ozone_outreach_program/#When:18:54:57Z The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is no longer accepting proposals for the recently released Request for Proposal (RFP) for the "Let's Take Care of Our Summer Air" ozone outreach and awareness campaign.  The time period for accepting applications has now passed.  To view the RFP, please see the related documents below. Related Downloads: Request for Proposal RAQC Ozone Outreach Scope of Work Questions and Answers Please email Sarah Anderson with questions. 2009-10-23T18:54:57+00:00