Working Together for Clean Air
The Miami Valley region, as required by the Clean Air Act, has a plan to keep the air clean. Air pollution comes from many kinds of sources and MVRPC incorporates air quality issues into planning through several programs and initiatives.
Cars, Trucks and Buses
Transportation planning is at the core of the MVRPC mission. Transportation (or “mobile”) sources are significant contributors to the overall air pollution situation in the Dayton and Springfield area, and MVRPC approaches this issue from a number of directions.
- The Long Range Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Plan must each “conform” to the regional air quality plan. This means the plan may not cause or contribute to a violation of a national air quality standard. MVRPC regularly evaluates the emissions effect of our transportation plans in a process commonly known as “conformity analysis” or simply “conformity.”
- MVRPC encourages commuters in the Region to reduce their automobile usage, and consider ridesharing, or biking or walking to work.
- MVRPC has approved funding for projects to retrofit pollution reduction devices on the school buses of two regional school districts.
- MVRPC has conducted over 15 Walkable Community Workshops throughout our Region to assist jurisdictions in incorporating the needs of non-automobile travelers into development plans.
Businesses and Utilities
Power plants and factories also factor in the overall air quality situation in the Miami Valley. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency develops specific regulations for these stationary (or “point”) sources, which are directly regulated by the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA). MVRPC participates in the development and monitors the implementation of the State Implementation Plan (SIP).
- MVRPC coordinates any regionally recommended elements for the Dayton/Springfield area portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for air quality attainment.
- MVRPC has issued recommendations for elements of the 8-hour ozone SIP and the fine particulate (PM2.5) SIP.
What about Public Health?
The quality of the air we breathe has direct effects on our health. MVRPC has developed a comprehensive suite of public information services to assist citizens seeking to monitor real-time air quality
- MVRPC coordinates the Miami Valley Air Quality Awareness Program, a cooperative effort among several agencies.
- A comprehensive air quality website provides insights on Air Quality Alerts (AQAs) and what triggers them. Go to miamivalleyair.org for the latest air quality readings.
- Air Quality Alerts are issued when levels of ozone or fine particulates are forecasted to be high enough to affect sensitive persons. Sign up for e-mailed air quality forecasts through US EPA’s EnviroFlash service - Air Now website.
Dayton Regional Green Air Team
The Air Team was formed to support the regional effort to make the Miami Valley a more sustainable community. The Air Team is composed of representatives from many sectors of our community, including health advocates, industry and business representatives, air quality regulators, environmental advocates and academia. The goals of the air team include reducing emissions and energy usage to improve public health and air quality. The Air Team could also contribute and coordinate regional recommendations for future Air Quality SIPs.