What are we doing about it?
Air quality is a major concern for everyone, not just people
who are sensitive to poor air quality. All levels of government
in the Puget Sound and Georgia Basin continue to implement emission
control initiatives, including strict regulations for permitting
industrial emissions, smoke control regulations and restrictions
on open burning. Further initiatives include Air Quality Management
Plans in the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley Regional Districts
of the Georgia Basin and the local air agencies in the Puget Sound
region. Non-profit organizations encourage individuals and businesses
to consider better air quality alternatives.
Federal Authority
The Canadian Government adopted a Federal Agenda on Cleaner Vehicles,
Engines and Fuels. Its overall authority is based on the Canadian
Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). In July 2003, ground level
ozone and particulate matter were added to CEPA Schedule 1, which
gives the government authority to reduce these substances. Between
2007 and 2010, new standards will be phased in for diesel emissions
from off-road vehicles and fuels, including a sulphur content
reduction for off-road, rail and marine diesel fuels.13
Under the Canada Wide Standard for PM2.5, BC will
produce comprehensive reports every five years starting in 2006,
with a report on progress and annual reports on achievement and
maintenance of the standards. Standards enforcement will begin
in 2010.
In the U.S., PM2.5 is regulated under the Clean Air
Act and established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
The NAAQS for PM2.5 is currently set at 65µg/l for
a 24 hour average and 15µg/l for an annual average. In December
2005 EPA proposed a reduction in the 24 hour standard to 35µg/l.14
Learn
more about particulate matter standards.
Georgia Basin/Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy
BC and Washington have worked for over a decade on shared environmental
management. The Georgia Basin-Puget Sound International Airshed
Strategy (IAS) is part of an ongoing relationship devoted to improving
basin air quality and preventing future deterioration of air quality.
Several initiatives of the IAS are underway to address issues
such as clean fuels, marine emissions, diesel emissions, residential
wood heating and agricultural emissions. To support this work,
a characterization of the Georgia Basin-Puget Sound airshed was
completed in 2003.15
The characterization of the airshed has helped to identify sources
of pollution and has brought about cooperative research and action
between governments, businesses and communities. This study will
enable us to better manage air pollution sources and solutions
long-term.
In 2005 a comprehensive report on this work was submitted to
the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Committee.16
Vehicles
Initiatives to reduce motor vehicle emissions include AirCare,
the heavy vehicle-testing program in the Lower Fraser Valley,
as well as the BC Scrap-It Program, which helps get older cars
off the road in BC. In addition, the provincial government encourages
the purchase of alternative fuels, alternative-fuel vehicles and
hybrid cars through reduction or elimination of provincial tax
charged. The Canadian Government has passed new regulations to
reduce pollution resulting from tailpipe emissions.
In Washington State, vehicle emission check programs are operating
in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Furthermore, low sulfur
diesel fuels have been introduced into the region ahead of the
mandatory 2006 federal compliance date by several refineries through
voluntary agreements developed by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.17
Diesel Initiatives
Because diesel soot is the most pressing aspect of PM2.5
pollution and health effects, considerable effort has been directed
to diesel innovation. EPA has sponsored diesel collaboratives
across the U.S., and the West
Coast Collaborative 
is working to leverage funds to reduce diesel pollution and improve
public health.18
School Buses
In BC, Environment Canada worked with school districts in Abbotsford
and Chilliwack to install emission-reducing devices on 29 diesel
school buses. This project to reduce diesel emissions from school
buses has now expanded to include an additional 27 school districts
and one private school in British Columbia. Environment Canada
is also working with the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)
and municipal fleet managers to install similar devices on 70
municipal diesel trucks and maintenance vehicles, such as garbage
trucks, fire trucks and street sweepers.19
In
Washington State, under the Clean School Bus program, 7,500 school
buses will be retrofitted with devices to reduce exhaust pollutants.
Over 1,200 school buses were retrofitted in the first year of
the program. In addition, King County, the largest population
center in Washington State, is teaming up with Seattle City Light
to fuel 1,200 buses with biodiesel made from local vegetative
oils.20
Marine Diesel Issues
In
May 2004, as part of the Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) finalized new requirements for non-road
diesel fuel that will decrease the allowable levels of sulfur
in fuel used in marine vessels by 99 percent. The threshold levels
for emissions are different for engines less than 37 kW versus
all other marine diesel engines. Emission reductions of hydrocarbons
(HC), nitrogen oxide (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and carbon
monoxide (CO) are addressed with the most stringent requirements
phased in by 2007.21
Under the Georgia Basin – Puget Sound International Airshed
Strategy, several parties are involved in the Marine Vessel and
Port Emissions Reduction Initiative. This will be particularly
pressing as marine vessel and port activity is expected to double
or triple in the next 10 to 20 years. Washington, California,
Oregon, British Columbia and federal agencies have been working
with West Coast ports and marine industries to address air pollution
from port operations and marine vessels. All of these efforts
will help reduce the amount of fine particles emitted into the
air.
Ferry Systems
Environment Canada is working with BC Ferries and Transport Canada
to evaluate a water injection system on a diesel propulsion engine.
This technology led to 10-22 percent reduction in nitrous oxide
emission rates and an average 19.8 percent reduction of particulate
mass. Washington State Ferries is now piloting the use of biodiesel
and low sulphur diesel on three of its more urban ferry runs.22
Wood Stoves and Fireplace Programs
In BC, wood stove change-out programs allow people to trade in
their old wood stoves for newer, cleaner burning systems. In Washington,
the sale and use of uncertified woodstoves and fireplace inserts
has been banned since 1992. The certified woodstoves and fireplace
inserts dramatically cut down on emissions.23
In BC, the Solid Fuel Burning Domestic Appliance Regulation specifies
particulate emission limits and labeling requirements for all
new wood stoves, fireplace inserts and factory built fireplaces
manufactured, sold or imported for use in BC.24
Air
Quality