2009 air quality implementation report

8/2/2019 2009 Air Quality Implementation Report

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AIRQUALITYADVOCACYTASKFORCE

_______________________

FINALIMPLEMENTATIONREPORT

November

19,

2009


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AIRQUALITYADVOCACYTASKFORCE:

FINALIMPLEMENTATIONREPORT

NOVEMBER,2009

Summary:

JCCIsAirQualitystudy,chairedbyA.QuintonWhite,Jr.,wasconductedoveraneightmonth

periodandreleasedtothecommunityinJune,2007. Whilerecognizingtheprogress

Jacksonvillehasmadeinovercomingsignificantairpollutionandodorproblemsthatonce

madeitthebruntofnationaljokes,thestudyconcludedthataproactiveapproachto

Jacksonvillesairqualityfutureisstillimperative. Withananticipateddoublinginthecitys

populationby

2030

and

the

predictable

attendant

air

pollution

from

increased

energy

productionandvehicleemissions,itisclearthatwithoutacommunitywideefforttoeffectively

dealwiththeseproblems,thequalityoflife,naturalenvironment,andeconomyofNortheast

Floridawillbeseverelycompromised.

Withthatasabackdrop,theAirQualityAdvocacyTaskForce,undertheleadershipofDonaldD.

Anderson,beganitsworkinJuly,2007. Agroupof34individualsattendedanorientation

meetingandwereinvolvedatvariousstagesofthetwoyearproject,and25participatedfrom

beginningtoend. TheTaskForcewasdividedintofoursubcommitteeswitheachassuming

responsibilityforaminimumofthreeofthestudys14recommendations. ThefullTaskForce

metquarterly,andthesubcommitteesmetseparatelyonnumerousoccasions,includingmany

individualmeetingswithawiderangeofstakeholders,electedofficials,andprominentcivic

leadersthroughoutNortheastFlorida. ComplicatingthechallengesoftheTaskForcewasthe

worldwideeconomicdownturnwhichsharplycurtailedfundingopportunitiesforvarious

projectscontemplatedintherecommendations.

Nonetheless,thisfinalimplementationreportpresentsapositivepictureofsuccess,withseven

oftherecommendationsbeingfullyimplemented,fivepartiallyimplemented,andonlytwonot

implementedatall. AsisfrequentlythecasewithJCCIimplementationprojects,however,

perhapsthemostimportantcontributionoftheTaskForceisthedegreetowhichitelevated

theawarenesslevelthroughoutthecommunityofissuesrelatedtoenvironmental

sustainability. Thisservedasacatalystformanypositivedevelopmentsthatensuedoverthetwoyeartimespan. WhiletheAdvocacyTaskForcecertainlydoesnotclaimdirect

responsibilityforalloftheachievementsthathelpedaddresstherecommendations,weare

confidentthatoureffortswereinstrumentalinbringinggreaterfocustotheseissueswhich

helpedtoinfluencefavorableoutcomes.


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WhentheAirQualityStudywasinitiatedin2007,manynowfamiliartermsorphraseswere

eitherunfamiliarorlargelyignoredintheJacksonvillecommunity,suchas: LEEDgreen

buildingstandards;CFLs;SustainabilityOfficers;EnergyStarappliances;biofuelsand

biomass;andmanyotherexamples. Twoyearslater,thesehavebecomesomuchapartof

commonlexiconthatitseemstheyvealwaysbeenpartofJacksonvillesculture.

ThisisperhapsthemostimportantandlastinglegacyoftheAirQualityproject,andthe

dedicatedmembersoftheAdvocacyTaskForce,whileoftenconductingtheirworkquietlyand

outofthepublicview,deservesignificantcreditforthistransformationofthecommunitys

mindset.

RecommendationsandOutcomesofAdvocacyEfforts:

Recommendation1: TheMayorofJacksonvilleshouldappointaSustainabilityOfficertocoordinate

efforts

to

establish

goals,

objectives,

and

targets

for

air

quality

improvement

and

longrangesustainabilityplans. TheSustainabilityOfficershouldengagetheuniversities,businesses,governmententities,environmentalgroups,andthegeneralpublicandshouldleadtheeffortto:

ExplorethemodelofCoolCitiesandtheMayorsClimateProtectionAgreementanditsobjectivestodevelopandadoptlocalfeasiblegoalsforreducinggreenhousegases;

CreateaplantoaddressclimatechangeimpactsandgreenhousegasesinDuvalCountyincorporatinggoalsandmeasurableoutcomes;

Provideamodelforcitizens,byhavingenergyefficientcompactfluorescentlightbulbs(CFLs)installedinallcityfacilitiesandprovidingaresponsibleCFLdisposalprogram;

Strengthen

the

Environmental

Protection

Boards

role

in

educating

the

general

public,

identifyingenvironmentalproblems,andenforcingcompliancewithinJacksonvilleslongrangesustainabilityplans;and

EngagethecitysvariousCPACandneighborhoodassociationsindevelopingairpollution,health,andenergyconservationawareness.

Results: Byvirtueofanexecutiveorder(Attachment1)signedbyMayorPeytononSeptember26,2008,anOfficeofSustainabilityInitiativeswascreatedfortheCityofJacksonville,alongwiththepositionofSustainabilityOfficer.DerekIgouwasappointedtothenewposition,headingasustainabilityteamof20chiefsanddeputydirectorsfromdifferentCitydepartments.

TheprimaryroleoftheSustainabilityOfficeristooverseetheCityseffortstobecomea

greener,moreenergyefficientcommunity,startingwithCitygovernment. Particular

recognitionisduetoEnvironmentalProtectionBoardchairRobertSchusterwhowasastrong

advocateforthesedevelopmentsandwasinstrumentalinshepherdingthemthroughthe

politicalprocess.


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Otherdevelopmentsinclude:

MayorPeytonsignedtheMayorsClimateProtectionAgreementin2008andisoneof969mayorsnationwidetohavedoneso. TheMayorsClimateProtectionAgreement

seekstoreducecarbonemissionsinparticipatingcitiesbelow1990levels,inlinewith

theKyotoProtocol.

AtMayorPeytonsrequest,theCityofJacksonvilleconductedNavigatorTrainingfordepartmentheadsonSeptember17,2008. FacilitatedbyJohnsonControls,thepurpose

ofthetrainingwastoestablisharoadmapandstrategicplanfortheCityssustainable

practicesprogram.

TheCityofJacksonvilleissystematicallyreplacingoldfluorescentlighttubeswithnewPhilipsAltoIIbulbsinallofitsbuildings. AltoIIisagreen,sustainabletechnology

inventedbyPhilipsthatimprovesenergyefficiencyanddramaticallyreducesthe

amountofmercurypresentinfluorescentbulbs. Thereplacementbulbsbeingusedby

theCityare25wattsratherthanthestandard32wattbulbspreviouslyutilized.

BecausetheAltoIIbulbsaresolowinmercury,theydonotrequirespecialdisposal.

FinalStatus: Recommendation1Implemented Recommendation2: TheJacksonvilleCityCouncilshouldrevisethecitysbuildingcodestoincorporateGreenBuildingStandardstoincreaseenergyefficiency. ItshouldalsoencouragetheinstallationofEnergyStarcompliantappliancesandequipment,followingstandardsoftheFloridaGreenBuildingCoalitionandU.S.GreenBuildingCoalitionsLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED).

Results: AttheurgingoftheAirQualityTaskForce(seeAttachment2),theCityCouncilpassedandMayorPeytonapprovedOrdinance2009211(Attachment3)onApril22,2009,establishing

asustainablegreenbuildingsprogramfortheCityofJacksonville. TheOrdinancestates: Itis

theintentoftheCouncilincreatingthisSustainableBuildingprogramtodemonstratea

substantialcommitmentonthepartoftheCitytofinance,plan,design,construct,manage,

renovate,commission,andmaintainCountyBuildingswithsustainablebuildingstandardsand

tosupportdevelopmentofprivatelyownedbuildingsinJacksonvilletosustainablestandards.

LEED(LeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign)Standardsrepresentthegoldstandard

inthesustainablebuildingindustry,andtherecentlyrenovatedJakeGodboldCityHallAnnexis

thefirstCityownedbuildingtomeetLEEDrequirements. Amongotherdepartments,this

buildingnowhousestheCitysEnvironmentalQualityDivision,which,undertermsofthe

Ordinance,willcoordinateatleastonetrainingworkshopperyearforthepurposeofeducatingCitystaffandcurrentandpotentialparticipantsintheSustainableBuildingProgramonthe

program,itsbenefitsandrequirements.

CompliancewiththeSustainableBuildingsProgramOrdinanceisrequiredforallnewly

constructedcityownedbuildings,includingtheoneservicingAnimalCareandProtective

ServicesandthenewCountyCourthouse. Complianceisvoluntaryforprivateconstruction,but


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aCertificationRefundGrantProgramwasestablishedaspartoftheGreenBuildingsOrdinance

toprovideincentivestoachievegreenbuildingcertificationthroughrefundsoftheactualcost

ofsuchcertification.

FinalStatus: Recommendation2Implemented Recommendation3: TheCityofJacksonvilleandallthevariousAuthorities,JTA,andDuvalCountyPublicSchoolsanditstransportationcontractorsshouldincreasethepercentageoftheirfleetofhybridandalternativefuelvehiclestoreducemobileemissionsandimproveairqualityandtohelpestablishinthecityaninfrastructureforalternativefuelsthatcitizenscanaccess.

Results: Asafirststepinaddressingthisrecommendation,SubcommitteeBoftheAirQualityTaskForceconvenedameetingofseverallocalgovernmentagenciesinNovember,2007,to

discusstheirrespectiveapproachestoalternativefuelvehicleinitiatives. Thediscussion

resultedintherecognitionthatacoordinatedeffortinvolvingtheCityanditsagencieswithan

organizingentity

at

its

helm

would

be

preferable

to

an

incremental

approach.

Afterresearchingexistingprogramsandstructuresthatprovideappropriatesupportforsuch

communitywidecollaborations,itwasdeterminedthatformingalocalchapterofthefederal

CleanCitiesCoalitionshouldbeexplored.

AcomponentoftheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy(DOE),CleanCitieswascreatedin1993topromotethevoluntaryuseoftechnologiesthatwillreducetheuseofpetroleum. Specificallyas

itrelatestoRecommendation3,CleanCitiesadvancestheuseofalternativefuelsandvehicles,

idolreductiontechnologies,hybridelectricvehicles,fuelblends,andotherfueleconomy

measures. CoalitionmemberscommittocertainstipulationsoftheCleanCitiesprogram,

includingconversiontoalternativefuelvehiclesintheirtransportationfleets,andotherspecific

fuelefficiencyprovisions.

WorkinginconcertwithSubcommitteeB,theNorthFloridaTransportationPlanning

Organization(TPO)agreedtoassumetheroleofcoordinatorforalocalCleanCitiesCoalition

chapter. AninformationalmeetingwasheldonJuly9,2008,withrepresentativesfromover30

localstakeholderspresent,includingJTA,JEA,JaxPort,DuvalCountyPublicSchools,large

privatesectoremployers,andnonprofitassociations. Developmentofastrategicplanto

addresstheninestepCleanCitiesapprovalprocessisbeingledbyWandaForrest,longrange

transportationmanagerforNorthFloridaTPO.

OncetheCleanCitieschapterhasbeenestablishedandapprovedbyDOE,itwillprovidethe

basisforacoordinatedandsustainedeffortthroughoutthecommunityforincreaseduseof

hybridandalternativeusevehiclesonalargescale.

FinalStatus: Recommendation3Implemented


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Recommendation4:JEAshouldcontinuetoleadcommunityeducationeffortsonenergyconservation. Forexample,JEAshould:

Expanditseducationprogramsthatprovideconsumerfriendlyinformationandadvanceitsinitiativesonenergyconservationprogramsthattakeintoconsiderationfamilyincome;

Initiateacompactfluorescentlightbulb(CFL)distributionprogramthatincludesaplanforproperCFLdisposal,andpublicizeitssuccess;and

AssisttheCityofJacksonvilleandthevariousAuthoritiestoimprovehowtheirwebsiteshighlightenergyconservationinformationandinitiatives.

Results: Inregardtoeducationprogramsonenergyconservationprograms,JEAhasadoptedanaggressive,innovativeapproachtowhatitperceivesasitsroleinthepromotionofenergy

conservationmethodsintheJacksonvillecommunity. Aspartofitsconservationprogram,JEA

hasinstitutedthefollowing:

EducationFulfillmentProgramanoutreachprogramforallschools(publicandprivate)inJEAsservicearea. Teachersareprovidedwithclassroomresourcespromotingenergyreductiontechniquesandstrategies.

LowIncomeHousingEnergyAssistanceProgramFundedbyJEA,thisprogrameducatestargetedcitizensonenergyefficiency,anditassiststhemwithinstallationofenergy

savingfeatures(caulking,lowflowshowerheads,etc.)toreducetheirenergybills.

CommunityOutreachPresentationsAtitscommunityoutreachforums,JEAprovidesfree6packsofcompactfluorescentlightbulbs(CFLs)tolowincomeandsenior

residentsthroughagrantfromTheCommunityFoundation.

AwarenessCampaignonEnergyConservationJEAconductedanextensivetelevisioncampaignduring2008focusingonenergyconservationandthestepsindividualscan

taketoreducetheircarbonfootprints.

JEAhastakentheleadinattemptingtoestablishaNortheastFloridaEnergyEfficiencyAlliance,thegoalofwhichistodevelopacommunitystrategytoachievesignificant

energysavingsbyretrofittingbuildingsandinstallingrenewabletechnologiesinallend

usesectors. AnorganizationalmeetingwasheldonApril23,2009,andapproximately

30communitystakeholdersattended.

WorkingcloselywiththeTaskForcesSubcommitteeC,JEAinitiatedaCFLdistributionprogram

involvingmorethan170retailersintheJacksonvillearea(seeAttachment8forcomplete

listing).

ACFLdisposalprogramhasalsobeenestablished,withover40retaillocationsavailablefordropoffofusedCFLs.CalledGreenPartners,thisdisposalprogramprovidesnocostdropoffservicestoconsumersandrecoversthemercuryfromthebulbsforreuse(seeAttachment8

forlistingofparticipants).



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Recommendation5: Inordertocontrolgreenhousegasandotheremissions,JEA,asthelargestmunicipallyownedutilityinFlorida,shouldcontinuetoimplementtheirexpressedpurposetoimprovethequalityoflifeinthecommunitiestheyserveby:

Restructuringelectricratestoencourageconservationofenergy; Increasingthepercentageoflocalenergyproductionfromrenewablesources;and Exploringalternativetechnologiessuchasbiomass,solidwasteandnuclearpowerproduction,andcarbonsequestration.

Results: InordertofundJEAscomprehensiveconservationanddemandreductionprograms(whicharedesignedtoreduceelectricconsumptionand,atthesametime,reducetheneedfor

acquiringorconstructingadditionalgeneratingcapacity),theJEABoardenactedaConservation

Charge. Thischarge,intheamountof$0.01perkWhforusageabove2.75kWhinasingle

month,isappliedtoresidentialelectricaccounts. Inadditiontobeingasourceoffundingfor

JEAconservationinitiatives,theConservationChargealsohelpstodiscourageexcessive

residentialelectricconsumption.

JEAsrevisednetmeteringpolicywasimplementedinAugust,2009forcustomerowned

renewablegeneration. Customerownedrenewablegenerationupto100kWhisallowed

underthispolicy. Thecustomergenerationisutilizedtooffsetenergyconsumedbythe

customer. Anymonthlycreditbalancewillbecarriedovertothenextmonthanddisplayedas

partofthemonthlybillingstatement. JEAwillcarryoveracreditbalanceeachmonththrough

theendofthecalendaryear. Ifattheendofthecalendaryearthecustomerselectricaccount

hasacreditbalance,JEAwillpaythecustomertheamountofsuchbalance. Netmetering

customerswillbechargedforthemeteredkWhsenttoJEAeachmonth. Themonetarycredit

tothecustomerwillbecalculatedusingthecustomersretailenergyrate,demand,fuel,

environmentalandconservationcharges(RetailRate)perkWh.

JEAhasanestablishedgoalof7.5%ofitsgeneratingcapacitytobecleanpowerby2015. In

addition,JEAcontinuestoreviewandevaluatefuturegenerationplanninginresponseto

currentstateandfederallegislativeactivitiesproposingmandatesrequiringapercentageof

renewableenergyforelectricgeneratingutilities.

JEAisincreasingthepercentageoflocalenergyproductionfromrenewableresources:

LandfillGas (a)JEAhasutilizedtheCOJNorthLandfillgasasafuelintheNorthsideUnit#3generatingunitandCOJGirvinLandfillgasasafuelinonsiteenginestoproduce

power(indiscussionwithCOJforcontinuanceofgasusage);(b)JEAcommencedthe

receiptof9.1MWsofenergypower(approximately4500homes)fromtheTrailRidgeLandfillgastoenergyfacilitythroughapurchasepoweragreement(PPA)inDecember

2008.

BuckmanWastewaterFacilityJEAutilizestheproducedmethanegastogeneratepower.

SolarPhotovoltaicJEAhasinstalledsolarphotovoltaicsatseveralpublicfacilitiesincludinghighschools,theJacksonvilleZoo,JIA,JacksonvilleChamberofCommerce,etc.


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JEAsignedaPPAwithJacksonvilleSolar,LLC,toreceivetheenergyfroma12.6MW

solarphotovoltaicfarmbeginningin2010.

SolarThermalJEAhasarebateprogramtoassistcustomersintheinstallationofsolarwaterheaters.

WindJEAhasa10MWshareofNebraskaPublicPowerDistrictswindfarmwhereJEAreceivestherenewableenergycreditsforthepowerwhichissoldbacktoNPPD.

Vehicles36%ofJEAsvehiclefleetarepoweredbybiodieselandethanolfuels. UniversityofNorthFloridaLabJEAhassponsoredthislabforresearchandeducation

andpartnerswiththeUniversitytoreceiveengineeringsupportongreenenergy

technologies,suchassolarthermal,wind,biodiesel,hydroelectric,etc.

JEAsprogressonexplorationofalternativetechnologiesincludes:

Conductedastudyforaselfbuildbiomassproject,aswellascofiringbiomassinJEAsexistingsolidfuelfacilities.

JEAcurrentlyisinnegotiationsforaPPAtoreceiveenergyfroma50MWbiomassfacility.

JEAhasestablishedatargetdateof2018foratleast10%ofitsenergyrequirementstobemetbynuclearenergy. JEAisactivelyexploringopportunitiestoacquireownership

positionsinnucleargenerationfacilitiesconstructedandoperatedbyothers;and

possiblePPAs,inwhichJEAwouldpurchasenucleargeneratedenergyfromownersof

nuclearfacilities. JEAsignedaPPAwithMunicipalElectricAuthorityofGeorgia(MEAG)

toreceive200MWsofenergyfromthetobeconstructedMEAGnuclearfacilities.

JEAassessedcarboncaptureandsequestrationfeasibilityandcostswithrespecttotheexistingJEAfleet.

FinalStatus: Recommendation5Implemented Recommendation6: TheCityofJacksonvillesEnvironmentalQualityDivisionshouldevaluateincreasingairqualitymonitoringsites,focusingonhotspots,andmodelingandrecommendinglimitsonpollutioncausingactivities. TheseeffortsshouldestablishgoalsthatgobeyondcompliancewithNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards.

Results: BecauseofbudgetcuttingdecisionsmadebytheFloridaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP)inMay,2009,JacksonvillesEnvironmentalQualityDivisionwill

receivelessStatefundingforitsAmbientAirMonitoringprogramandTitleVfundingthanit

previouslyreceived(seeAttachment4). EffortsbytheAirQualityTaskForceurgingDEP

SecretaryMichaelSoletoreconsiderfundingcuts(Attachment5)wereonlypartiallysuccessful.

Asaresult,atatimewhenadditionalairqualitymonitoringsitesareneededinJacksonvilleas

emphasizedinRecommendation6,theeffectofthefundingcutswillinsteadbetoreducetheirnumber,andpotentialeliminationofanyambientairtoxicworkisprobableinthenearfuture.


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AsEbeneezerGujjarlapudi,DirectorofJacksonvillesEnvironmentalComplianceDepartment,

saysinhislettertoDirectorSole: Thehistoricalprogressmadebytheuniquecooperative

effortsisindangerofbeingcompromised. TheLocalProgramshave,andcontinuetodothe

majorityofworkintheStatetoprotectthelargestpopulationsegmentsofthisState. This

developmentisextremelydisappointingasitpotentiallydecimatesthecooperativeefforts

undertakenhistoricallybytheLocalProgramsandDEP.

Clearly,thisisoneofthemostregrettableoutcomesoftheentireAirQualityadvocacyeffort.

Despitetheseunfortunatedevelopments,somepositivenewswascreatedaswell. Asaresult

oftheTaskForcesconcernthatfineparticulatemattermaybecausinganelevatedlevelof

asthmainchildrenwholiveineconomicallydepressedareasinJacksonville,theEnvironmental

QualityDivisionsAirMonitoringSectionStaffbuiltaPM2.5monitorandlocateditatan

existingsiteinaneconomicallydisadvantagedneighborhood. Todate,thismonitorhasnot

registeredlevelsofparticulatematterthatcomeclosetoreachingtheNationalAmbientAir

QualityStandard.

AresultofcitizenandEnvironmentalProtectionBoardinterest,theEnvironmentalQuality

DivisionworkedcloselywiththeFloridaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(FDEP)to

successfullylocateamercurymonitoringstationinDuvalCounty. ThisispartofFDEPsthree

yearstatewidemercurymonitoringnetworktoassesswaterqualityimpactsfromair

deposition. Datawillalsobeusefulbyotherinterestedstakeholdersinassessingpublichealth

impacts.

Inaddition,despitethecutbacksdescribedabove,theEnvironmentalQualityDivisionfeltitwas

importanttoassessthelevelsofozonepresentinthewesternpartofthecitywherenosuch

monitoringhadpreviouslybeenundertaken. EQDhassubsequentlyaddedanewozonemonitoringsiteonCiscoRoad,bringingtothreethenumberofactiveozonemonitorsinthe

city.

FinalStatus: Recommendation6NotImplemented xRecommendation7: TheFloridaDepartmentofHealthandDuvalCountyHealthDepartmentshouldincreasepublichealthstudiesinairqualityhotspotstobetterunderstandtherelationshipbetweenlocalairpollutantsandhealtheffects. Togethertheyshouldincreasetheirpublicawarenesscampaignsaboutthehealtheffectsofairpollutants.

Results: SubcommitteeC,whichwasassignedthisrecommendation,recognizedearlyintheirdeliberationsthateffortshaveneverbeenmadetodeterminespecificairqualityhotspotsin

Jacksonville. Intheabsenceofmobileairqualitymonitoringstationsthatcanmovefromone

locationtoanother,thereisnowaytoeffectivelygaugethedifferencesinairqualityinvarious

partsoftown. Eventhehandfulofpermanentmonitoringstationsofferlittlehelpin

establishinghotspotssincetheydonotconsistentlymeasureforthesamepollutants. Thus,


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askingtheHealthDepartmenttoincreasepublichealthstudiesinairqualityhotspotswasa

mootpointsincenooneknowsforcertainwheretheyexist.

Asaresult,thedirectiontheSubcommitteetookwastoinvestigatethefeasibilityofconducting

aresearchprojectwiththepurposeofdeterminingwhetherthereisacorrelationbetweenday

todaychangesinmonitoredozonelevelsinJacksonvilleandthenumberofhospitalemergencyroomvisitsrelatedtoasthma. Whileadmittedlyfarfromthescopeoftheresearchproject

ultimatelyrequired,thiswouldatleastprovidesomeinsightontheissueandwouldserveto

focusattentionontheneedformorecompleteandthoroughresearchonthesubject.

Overthecourseofnearlyninemonths,severalmeetingswereconvenedbytheSubcommittee

todeterminehowtoaccomplishsuchaproject. Themeetingsinvolvedahighlevelgroupof

stakeholders,includingrepresentativesfromtheCitysAirQualityBranch,DuvalCountyHealth

Department,thephysicianwhoheadstheDuvalCountyAsthmaCoalition,theUNFComputer

andInformationSciencesDepartment,andothers. SubcommitteeCmembersMikeHartman,

BerdellKnowles,andChrisRogersworkeddiligentlythroughoutthisperiodinhopesofbringing

theresearchprojecttofruition.

DailyrecordsofpertinentairqualitydatawereprovidedbytheCity,andtheHealth

Departmentcontributedtherequireddataonasthmarelatedhospitaladmissions. Byearly

March,2009,itappearedallthedetailswerealignedtomoveforwardwithUNFprovidingthe

computerservicesneededtomergethedataandanalyzetheresults. Theworkwouldbe

conductedduringUNFssummersessionbygraduatestudentsunderthedirectionofCollegeof

EngineeringandComputingprofessor,Dr.BehroozAbbassi.

UponreceivingthedataonhospitaladmissionsfromtheHealthDepartment,however,itwas

quicklydiscoveredthatitwasnotbrokenoutbydailyadmissions,butratherbyquarteroftheyear. Withoutknowinghowmanyasthmarelatedemergencyroomvisitsweremadeeachday,

thedataondaytodayairqualityfluctuationswasrenderedofnovalue.

So,whiletherewasgreatfrustrationthatthegrouphadcomesofaronlytofaceultimate

disappointment,itwasalsorecognizedthatitsdeliberationsandconveningofimportant

stakeholdersoverseveralmonthsservedtohighlighttheneedforimportantresearchonthis

subjectonasignificantlyhigherlevel. Thegroupfeelsthattheimportantresearchithas

proposedneedstobeeventuallyundertaken. Citizenshavearighttoknowwhattheirhealth

risksareasurbanredevelopmentbecomesthemajornewtrendinreducinggreenhousegas

emissions.Some

credible

air

quality

research

group

such

as

the

National

Science

Foundation

needstoestablishabudgetforsuchresearch.

FinalStatus: Recommendation7NotImplemented xRecommendation8: Toencouragegreaterdevelopmentanduseofmasstransit,JTAshould:

Beauthorizedandassignedcontrolofpublicdowntownoffstreetparking; Worktoendallsubsidiesfordowntownpublicparkingandmovetowardmarketrates;


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Lowerratesforparkingforhighoccupancyvehicles(carpools); WorkwiththeTransportationPlanningOrganizationtoadvertiseandpromote

vanpoolingandcarpoolingthroughoutJacksonville,includingsuburbanofficeareas;

Advocateforasufficientlycompletepublictransitsystemandconsideralightrailsystemtoencourageandaccommodatemoreridership;

Developanewdedicatedsourceofrevenuetobefunneledintomasstransit; Convertexistingparkingstructuresandparkinglotsintocommercial,residential,and

officespace;and

Offerincentivestobusinessestoprovidealternativestotheuseofsingleoccupantvehicles.

Results: Noprogresswasrealizedregardingrestructuringofdowntownparking. JTAexpressednointerestregardingauthorizationtocontroldowntownoffstreetparking,andconversionof

existingparkingstructuresandlotswerenotconsideredaprioritybyanystakeholders.

Progress,however,onothercomponentsofRecommendation8includedthefollowing: TheNorthFloridaTransportationPlanningOrganizationisaggressivelypromoting

vanpoolingandcarpoolingthroughoutJacksonville. TheTPOscommuterassistance

programhelpscommutersformvanpoolsbyleasingavan,thecostofwhichisshared

bytheriders. TPOalsomaintainsadatabaseofnamesmatchingpeopleforcarpoolsif

theyliveandworkinthesameareas. Commuterswhojoinacarpoolorvanpoolare

coveredbyaservicethatgivesthemfreetaxiridesifunexpectedemergenciesarise

duringthedayandtheyneedimmediatetransportation. Convincingpeoplewhohave

neverbeforesharedridestoworktodosoremainsthelargestchallengeassociated

withcarpoolsandvanpools,evenwhenfolksunderstandthetransportationcostsavings

theycanachieve.

NorthFloridaTPOandJTAarebothinvestigatingalternativetransitoptionsintheregion,includingcommuterrail,streetcars,extendingtheSkyway,awaterferry,and

busrapidtransit. AspartofitsTransportationPlanEnvision2035program,theTPOheldaseriesofworkshopsinAugust,2009,tosolicitpublicopiniononhowtheywould

liketoseetransportationevolveoverthenext25years. Oncetheresultsofthe

workshopshavebeencompiledandpreferencesforthevariousoptionsareidentified,

TPOwillthenconductappropriatefeasibilitystudiesandassembleatransportationplan

thatincludesestimatedcostsforallprojectslisted. Afterthetentativeplanis

established,TPOwillholdmorepublicmeetingsthisfalltogetadditionalfeedback

beforeapprovingafinaldraftbytheendoftheyear. JTAisalreadymovingaheadwith

busrapidtransitandisnowreviewingthefeasibilityofcommuterrail. IthiredaconsultantinMay,2009,toconductastudyofacommuterrailsystemfromasfarnorth

asYuleetoasfarsouthasGreenCoveSpringsandSt.Augustine. Fundingofadditional

publictransitoptionsremainsthelargestunansweredquestionmark.

FinalStatus: Recommendation8PartiallyImplemented


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Recommendation9: TheJacksonvilleRegionalChamberofCommerce,aswellastheotherChambersofCommerce,andtheCityofJacksonvilleasmodelstobusinessesshouldencourageandofferincentivestoemployeestousemasstransitandofferfurtheralternatives

tosingle

occupant

vehicles

such

as

vanpools

and

carpools.

Results: DuringtheAirQualityStudyandpriortoit,theNorthFloridaTransportationPlanningOrganization(TPO)hadbeenadministeringandactivelymarketingtoemployersandemployees

inafivecountyareaacommuterservices/rideshareprogramwithvansandcarpoolstoand

fromworkfundedbytheFloridaDepartmentofTransportation.

Workingwithbothlargeandsmallemployersandareachambersthroughatargetedoutreach

programusingvariouscommunicationstools(includingmedia),theFirstCoastCommuter

ServicesimplementedasuccessfulcampaignwiththeMayoClinicwhentheyopenedtheirnew

hospitalinApril2008,whichcontinuestoday. WorkingwithvariousMayorepresentativesover

severalmonthsandbuildingonacorporatephilosophyofridesharingsincemanyemployees

alreadydidso,approximately100carpoolswereofficiallyregisteredintheelectronicdatabase.

VariouscarpoolstookthesecondstepofenrollingintheEmergencyRideHomeProgram,which

providescabridesatnocosttoparticipantsunderahalfdozenemergencysituations. Mayo

addedincentiveparkinginacentrallylocatedandgatedlotattractivetoemployees.

TheNorthFloridaTPOcontinuesitsCommuterServicesProgramtoencourageemployersand

employeestoconsidercarandvanpoolingandworkswithareaChambersinsharingthe

message.

FinalStatus: Recommendation9PartiallyImplemented Recommendation10: Toreducevehicleemissionsfromexcessiveandunnecessaryidlingintraffic,theCityofJacksonvilleshouldfollowtheexampleofothersuccessfulcitiesemployingIntelligentTransportationSystemtechnology.

Results: AsamemberoftheFirstCoastIntelligentTransportationSystem(ITS)Coalition,theCityofJacksonvilleisfullyengagedinimplementationoftheFirstCoastITSMasterPlan,a

collaborativeeffortinvolvingNorthFloridaTPO,JTA,andtheFloridaDepartmentof

Transportation.

InApril,2006,theITSCoalitionlaunchedastudytodevelopaRegionalITSMasterPlan.

Completedinfall,2007,theMasterPlanconsistsoffourparts:

ITSOperationalConceptpresentstheregionalmission,vision,goalsandobjectives,andidentifiesthestakeholdersthatplayapartinregionalITSactivities.

ITSArchitecturearoadmapfortransportationsystemsintegrationintheFirstCoastregionoverthenext10years.


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ApproachtoITSProjectPlanningandImplementationdefinesaprocessthatwillbringproposedITSprojectsinthefundingmainstream.

5 and10yearImplementationPlanestablishestheplannedITSdeploymentforthemembersoftheCoalitioninthenear andmidtermperiods.

SomeITScomponentshavealreadybeenintroducedinJacksonvilleandafullyfunctionalITSsystemwillbeestablishedbytheendoftheimplementationperioddescribedabove(see

Attachment6).

Onarelatednote,MayorPeytonissuedadirective(Attachment7)onOctober23,2008,toall

COJdepartmentheadsanddivisionchiefsincorporatinganoidlingpolicy. Idlingpracticesno

longerpermittedunderthenewpolicyare:

Idlingforthepurposeofkeepingtheinsideofacityvehiclecooledorheated;or Idlingduringextendedwaits,suchasinstoppedtrafficoratrailroadcrossings.

Failuretoadheretothispolicycouldcausetheoperatorinquestion,ataminimum,tolosethe

privilegeofusingfleetvehicles.

FinalStatus: Recommendation10Implemented Recommendation11: Intheinterestofthecommunity,theJacksonvillePortAuthorityshouldleadapartnershipofcityandstateofficials,JTA,TPO,individualshippingcompanies,andCSXTransportation,FloridaEastCoastRailway,andNorfolkSouthernRailwaycompaniestocooperateinincreasingrailshipmentanddecreasingshipmentbytrucksfromnewandexistingportstoconserveenergy,decreasemobileemissions,andrelievetrafficcongestionintheportarea.

Results: Althoughtheprojecthasbeendelayedbecauseofaninternationalcontainertradeslumpstemmingfromtheworldwiderecession,CSXIntermodalInc.andJaxPortremainactively

engagedinplanstodevelopanintermodaltransferfacility. Intermodaltransfergivesshipping

customersbetteraccessibilitytoraillines,thusreducingtheirtransportcosts. Theuseof

intermodal,whichusesmorethanoneformoftransport,isexpectedtoincreaseasmore

customersrealizetheeconomicandenvironmentalbenefitsofmovingmaterialsviarail.

CompletionofanewHanjinterminalwhichwilldramaticallyincreaseactivityatthePorthas

beenpostponedtoaslateasJune2013,soitisnotanticipatedthatanintermodalfacility

wouldbebuiltbeforethen. Inaddition,expansionofthePanamaCanalisexpectedtobe

completedin2014,permittinglargershipstopassthroughandincreasingtrafficatJacksonvillesPort.

ThePortAuthorityhasidentifiedthreepotentialsitesforthefacility,allofwhicharewithina

mileorsooftheDamesPointterminals. Anticipatedcostoftheintermodalfacilitywouldbe

between$100millionand$120million,andfundinghasyettobepledged. JaxPortExecutive

DirectorRickFerrinhasindicated,however,thatifthefacilityisbuiltonPortAuthority


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property,hewouldseekfederalandstatefundingandalsousemoneysetasideforreducing

emissionscausedbytrucking.

TraPac,whichoperatesthenewcontainerterminalalreadyinuseatDamesPoint,hopesthat

CSXandNorfolkSouthernRailwaycompanieswillultimatelybeabletosharethenew

intermodalfacility,thoughitwouldbehighlyunusualfortwocompetingrailroadstodoso.ItisnotyetknownwhetherTraPacwouldhelpfundtheproject,butthecompanyisbuildingan

intermodalfacilityatitsterminalatthePortofLosAngeles.

FinalStatus: Recommendation11PartiallyImplemented Recommendation12: TheFloridaLegislatureshouldestablishaNortheastFloridaRegionalTransportationAuthority(orexpandthescopeofJTAthroughouttheregion)andauthorizeappropriate,broadbasedregionalfundingmechanismstocreateandimplementregionaltransportationplans. TheNEFloridaRegionalTransportationAuthorityshouldthoroughlyexploretheachievabilityofallmannerofmasstransitincludinglightrail,commuterrail,andwaterbornetransportationsystems.

Results: Aftermuchdiscussioninrecentyears,theconceptofaregionaltransportationauthorityisfinallygainingtractionwithanumberofstakeholdersandelectedofficialsin

NortheastFlorida. HelpingtopavethewayfortheJacksonvilleTransportationAuthorityto

assumethisrole,theFloridaStateLegislaturerecentlyapprovedabillthatenhancestheability

ofJTAtoplananddeveloptransportationprojectsthroughoutNortheastFlorida. Asanagency

oftheState,JTAwillnowbeallowedtoenterintopublicprivatepartnershipsandissue

revenuebondseitheronitsownorthroughthestatesDivisionofBondFinance.

ThenewlawalsodirectsJTAandtheFloridaDepartmentofTransportationtoconductafeasibilitystudyofcreatingaregionaltransportationnetworkinNortheastFlorida. Thestudy,

whichmustbecompletedandsenttotheLegislaturebyFebruary,2010,isdesignedtocreatea

frameworkforhowaregionaltransportationauthoritywouldwork. ThenewlawalsogivesJTA

theabilitytoexpandintomultiplecountiesandpursuecommuterrailandbusrapidtransit

throughouttheregion.

TheNorthFloridaTransportationPlanningOrganization(TPO)recognizesthataregional

transportationauthoritycouldpotentiallyprovideasolutiontodecliningstatetransportation

fundingbyissuingbonds,levyingtaxes,andcreatingtollroads. Asaresult,theTPO(an

independentagency

responsible

for

developing

regional

transportation

plans)

supports

a

regionaltransportationauthorityandisactivelyadvancingtheconcept.

FinalStatus: Recommendation12PartiallyImplemented Recommendation13: TheFloridaLegislatureshouldempowertheNortheastFloridaRegionalCouncilwithauthoritytocoordinateandenforceregionalplanningincludingtransportation,landuse,andthenaturalenvironment. TheLegislatureshouldprovidetheRegionalCouncil


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withadedicatedsourceofrevenueforsufficient,broadbasedresourcesandstaffingtoperformtheseadditionalfunctionseffectively.

Results: NoprogresshasbeenmadewithregardtoformalempowermentbytheStateLegislatureoftheNortheastFloridaRegionalCouncil(NEFRC)tocoordinateregionalplanning.

SignificantprogressspearheadedbyNEFRCwasmadeoverthepasttwoyears,however,in

bringingthesevencountyareatogethertodevelopasharedvisionforthefuture. Inthat

sense,theNEFRCisacceptingaleadershippositionsimilartothatenvisionedby

Recommendation13,anditisreceivingthesupportoflocalgovernmentandcivicleaders

throughouttheregion.

NEFRCandUrbanLandInstitutecombinedtoleadanunprecedentedgrowthplanningeffort

calledRealityCheckFirstCoastaimedatshapingthewaytheNortheastFloridaregionwilllookinthefuture. Theprojectwasimplementedoverseveralstages,includingonlinesurveys,and

sevensimultaneoustownhallmeetingsonMarch23,2009,toprovideanopportunityforthe

publicatlargetoparticipate. Thefinalstage,gameday,washeldonMay21,andwasaday

longsessioninvolving300civicleaderswhodividedintoworkinggroupsof10andsculpted

theirviewoftheregionsfutureusinginterlockingLegoblocks. Theprojectincorporated

considerationoftransportation,landuse,andenvironmentalplanning,anditwastheultimate

objectiveofeachtabletodeterminewhattheguidingprinciplesforfuturegrowthshouldbe.

NEFRCExecutiveDirectorBrianTeepleexplainedthatbyfall2010,theprogramcanbeusedas

amodelandastheimpetusofacompactagreeduponbygovernmentsinthesevencounties.

Then,hesaid,itwillleadtochangesincountycomprehensiveplansandunitethegoalsofall

sevencounties. Neverbeforehadsuchanambitiousplanningprojectbeenattemptedin

NortheastFlorida,butintheaftermathofRealityCheck,itbecameclearthatstakeholders

throughouttheregionrecognizedtheimportanceofacoordinatedplanningeffortandtherole

oftheNEFRCinhelpingtoguideit.

FinalStatus: Recommendation13PartiallyImplemented Recommendation14: TheUnitedStatesCongressshouldadoptimprovedCorporateAverageFuelEconomy(CAF)standardstoreducemobileemissionsfrompassengercarsandlighttrucks.

Results:In

2007,

Congress

passed

the

Energy

Independence

and

Security

Act

(EISA)

which

prescribedannualfueleconomyincreasesforautomobilesbeginningin2011,resultingina

combinedfueleconomyfleetaverageofatleast35milespergallonby2020. Thesestandards

werenotasaggressiveasCaliforniaandanumberofotherstates(includingFlorida)preferred,

buttheywereprohibitedbytheEPAfromadoptingstricterstandards. Thematterwasin

litigationuntilshortlyaftertheObamaadministrationtookoffice,atwhichpointitbecame

clearthatimprovedfueleconomystandardswouldbeexpedited.


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Subsequently,thelawsuitwasdroppedbyCalifornia,andonMay19,2009,theObama

administrationannouncedtoughnewstandardsfortailpipeemissions,establishingthefirst

nationwideregulationforgreenhousegases. Itwillalsoraisefuelefficiencytargetsto35.5

milespergallonfornewcarsandlighttrucksby2016,fouryearsearlierthanrequiredunder

the2007federalenergybill. Thenewstandardswillrequirecarstoaverage39MPG,whilelight

truckswillneedtoaverage30MPG.



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ThefollowingindividualsparticipatedinsomeportionortheentireadvocacyperiodoftheAirQualityTaskForce. Theirinterest

anddedicationaresincerelyappreciated:DonaldD.Anderson,Chair

SubcommitteeChairs:

MaryHayfordScottSkinnerChristiVeletaJayWorley

TaskForceMembers:

SarahBoren BillLarson

DavidBoyer MarciLarsonDeniseBunnewith AthenaMann

CathyClark MikeMcCarthy

CaraConnolly MarkMcCranie

BruceDoueck DaveMcLintock

JamesGeller QuillaMiralia

JenniferGornto StevePace

GabeHanson ChrisRogers

MikeHartman VinceSeibold

WayneHogan PaulSteinbrecherJenniferHolbrook AllenTilley

JoanneKazmierski PeggyTilley

KarenKempf SusanWhite

BerdellKnowles


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2009 air quality implementation report

Documents