REGION 2020: CLEAN AIR & WATER
WHAT
• To develop a region that is a cleaner and healthier community, that improves
and protects the quality of the region's air and water (with cleaner lakes,
rivers, and streams), and that pro motes environmental awareness and education
in schools, businesses and with the general public both now and in the future.
WHY
• To improve public health.
• To improve environmental conditions.
• To improve the economic climate.
WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED
• City and county governments in the region
• Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)
• Environmental Protection Agency EPA)
• Regional planning commissions
• Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)
• Chambers of commerce
• Jefferson County Department of Public Health Awareness
• Health agencies
• Economic development groups
• Environmental groups
• Schools
• Civic groups
• Media
WHO WILL BENEFIT
• Citizens
• Communities
• Businesses
• Industries
HOW
Strategy
Develop and implement a total ozone
attainment program that includes reformulated gasoline, inspection and maintenance
of automobiles, effective
mass transportation, and Park and ride as well as other alternative transportation
modes.
Require necessary industrial and power plant emissions reductions.
Related
strategies: Greenbelts, Parks and Trails, Transportation
Infrastructure and Facilities, and Mass Transit.
Action Steps
Region 2020 will convene a clean Air and Water Implementation Team
and assist in scheduling presentations with the Governor, legislative
delegations,
public health agencies, and business and environmental interest
organizations from
across the region.
The clean Air and Water Implementation
Team will:
1. Petition the Governor to write EPA
opting into the reformulated gasoline program.
2. Support automobile inspection and maintenance
legislation in the Alabama legislature.
3. Support an amendment to the
Alabama Constitution to allow state funding of public transportation.
4.
Support a regional mass transit plan that will include park and ride and
other alternative modes of transportation.
(See
the Mass
Transit strategy.)
5. Demand compliance with all clean
air laws, rules, and regulations.
6. Support adoption, implementation, and
compliance with proposed regulations regarding sport utility vehicles,
light trucks,
and diesel engines.
7. Support adoption, implementation,
and compliance with proposed haze regulations.
The Implementation Team will develop an ongoing public
education program regarding the strategy and action
steps in conjunction
with similar
initiatives in the region, such as the Birmingham Area
Chamber of Commerce No-Zoner
program
Role of Region 2020
• To convene the Clean Air and Water
Implementation Team.
• To schedule presentations to solicit ideas and support
for implementation
of the Action Steps.
Cost
Cost will vary based on the progress
of the Action Steps.
Note: EPA estimates for reducing emissions
are included in the Workgroup report.
