Because of wildfire and public safety concerns in our wooded counties, seasonal burn bans are now in effect throughout ORCAA’s jurisdiction

Prohibitions on residential outdoor burning are now in effect in Jefferson, Clallam and Thurston Counties. Land Clearing burning is now prohibited in all six ORCAA counties (Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific and Thurston) due to a summer-long ban called state-wide by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

These seasonal bans continue through the summer.

The restrictions on outdoor burning during the summer and early autumn has resulted in a significant drop in brush fires and property damage each of the past couple years, according to fire officials.

Outdoor burning causes significant amounts of air pollution, but it is the fire danger associated with burning that has prompted bans on outdoor burning in many counties in Washington.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) supports the local fire agencies, as well as the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) anytime those agencies issue a fire-safety burn ban. ORCAA will not issue land clearing burning permits in counties in which fire-safety burn bans have been called.

Today, DNR announced there will be a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands starting July 15, 2010 through September 30, 2010. This means all forestlands in Washington except for federal lands. Because ORCAA supports all DNR curtailments, this means all land clearing burning in ORCAA’s six county jurisdiction (Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific and Thurston) will be prohibited beginning July 15 and lasting at least until September 30.

“The threat of wildfires from escaped outdoor burning is high during the summer months due to unusual fire danger,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “Wildfires are dangerous for people and property and result in large expenditures of public funding that can be avoided through prudent actions to prevent them.”

While the primary reason for the current bans are to reduce wildfire risks, ORCAA encourages everyone to use this as an opportunity to explore safe, reasonable alternatives to outdoor burning. Alternatives include:

• Use a mulching mower to reduce or eliminate grass clippings.
• Chip and/or compost your yard and garden debris.
• Haul your yard and garden debris to a community composting facility

Residents should also be aware that burning any form of garbage – including paper –is prohibited at all times by state law. Burn barrels are also illegal everywhere in Washington state.

The high-pressure system over western Washington pushing temperatures into the 90s this week may also create unhealthful levels of air pollution.

Stagnant weather and high temperatures bring rising air pollution levels, especially smog-producing ozone. Smog develops quickly as the sun bakes the ozone and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in emissions from gas and diesel-powered engines.  The strong inversion layer created by the high-pressure system keeps that pollution trapped on the ground where it poses significant health risks.

Because of concerns over degrading air quality, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) asks residents to take a few simple steps to reduce their contributions to the air pollution problem:

• Refuel vehicles in the cooler evening hours to minimize release of fuel vapors.
• Don’t use gasoline-powered gardening and yard-care equipment.
• Carpool, walk or ride the bus to work, events and outings.
• Drive your most fuel-efficient car, and combine errands into one trip.
• Make sure your car is properly tuned-up and tires are inflated to the correct levels – this increases you car’s efficiency.

ORCAA also strongly discourages all outdoor burning in the region until conditions improve. Yard waste and land clearing burns add both VOCs and particulate matter (PM) pollution to the air, contributing to the overall degradation of air quality.

A change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, but the current weather pattern is expected to remain unchanged until the weekend at least. Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions by clicking on the “Air Quality” tab above.

To learn about the health effects of air pollution, check out the American Lung Association of Washington’s Web site at www.alaw.org.

(National Association of Clean Air Agencies)

WASHINGTON– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final new health standard for sulfur dioxide (SO2). This one-hour health standard will protect millions of Americans from short-term exposure to SO2, which is primarily emitted from power plants and other industrial facilities. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma and cause other respiratory difficulties. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the effects of SO2.

“We’re taking on an old problem in a new way, one designed to give all American communities the clean air protections they deserve. Moving to a one-hour standard and monitoring in the areas with the highest SO2 levels is the most efficient and effective way to protect against sulfur dioxide pollution in the air we breathe,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “This is one of many pollutants we’ve been able to significantly reduce through the Clean Air Act, keeping people healthy, protecting our environment and growing our economy. This new standard — the first in almost 40 years — will ensure continued success in meeting these challenges.”

EPA is setting the one-hour SO2 health standard at 75 parts per billion (ppb), a level designed to protect against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours. EPA is revoking the current 24-hour and annual SO2 health standards because the science indicates that short-term exposures are of greatest concern and the existing standards would not provide additional health benefits.

EPA is also changing the monitoring requirements for SO2. The new requirements assure that monitors will be placed where SO2 emissions impact populated areas. Any new monitors required by this rule must begin operating no later than Jan. 1, 2013.  EPA is expecting to use modeling as well as monitoring to determine compliance with the new standard.

The final rule also changes the Air Quality Index to reflect the revised SO2 standard. This change will improve states’ ability to alert the public when short-term SO2 levels may affect their health.

EPA estimates that the health benefits associated with this rule range between $13 billion and $33 billion annually. These benefits include preventing 2,300 to 5,900 premature deaths and 54,000 asthma attacks a year. The estimated cost in 2020 to fully implement this standard is approximately $1.5 billion.

The first National Ambient Air Quality Standards for SO2 were set in 1971, establishing both a primary standard to protect health and a secondary standard to protect the public welfare. Annual average SO2 concentrations have decreased by 71 percent since 1980.

The final rule addresses only the SO2 primary standards, which are designed to protect public health. EPA will address the secondary standard – designed to protect the public welfare, including the environment – as part of a separate review to be completed in 2012.

EPA expects to identify or designate areas not meeting the new standard by June 2012. CLICK HERE for more information.

Public comment is currently being accepted on an Air Operating Permit (AOP) for Sierra Pacific Industries’ Lumber Mill located in Aberdeen, Washington, pursuant to Title V of the federal Clean Air Act. The draft AOP is intended to help ensure compliance with air quality regulations and standards that apply to Sierra Pacific Industries(SPI).  The SPI Mill in Junction City requires an AOP because it has the potential to emit over 100 tons per year of volatile organic compounds and over 25 tons per year of hazardous air pollutants resulting from kiln drying of lumber.

Copies of the draft AOP and the associated Technical Support Document (TSD) for SPI Mill are on file and available for review at the Aberdeen branch of the Timbarland Public Library, and at ORCAA’s office in Olympia. The draft AOP and TSD are also available online HERE

Comments may be submitted to ORCAA in writing. Written comments should be addressed to: ORCAA, 2940-B Limited Lane NW, Olympia, WA 98502, and will be accepted up to close of business on Monday, June 30, 2010. Comments should pertain to adequacy of the draft AOP in assuring compliance with applicable air quality regulations and standards. Any concerned party may request a public hearing within the specified public comment period. The request should include information to justify the need for a public hearing. If there is significant public interest, ORCAA will hold a public hearing.

By following recommendations of the Air Quality Index (AQI), people can take simple steps to reduce the amount of pollution they breathe in. The AQI is EPA’s color-coded tool for reporting daily air quality and forecasts for common air pollutants, including ozone (smog) and particle pollution.

Although air quality in Washington generally earns high marks, and the six counties served by ORCAA enjoy clear, clean air much of the year, yet serious threats do continue to pose problems for clean air. Exhaust from diesel vehicles and smoke from wood stoves, fireplaces and outdoor burning pose the greatest risks to human health in our state. Air pollution causes cancer and harms the heart, lungs and immune systems, especially in individuals with pre-existing health conditions, infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women and smokers. Additionally, the cost of these health impacts – estimated to be in the billions of dollars – is primarily borne by individual citizens, employers and governments.

The problems of air pollution go much deeper than that, even. Air pollution also affects the environment and quality of life in other ways, including: damage to soils, water, crops, and wildlife; impaired visibility; and effects on the climate.

• Monday: Ways to Live Clean and Green

The average home in Washington produced approximately the same amount of pollution as an average family car (i.e., over 7,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nearly 10 pounds of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), based upon the average monthly residential electricity consumption.

• Tuesday: Ways to Drive Clean and Green

On road sources (e.g., cars, trucks) continue to be the largest contributors to air toxics, ozone, particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and carbon monoxide emissions. They are also the largest contributing sources to greenhouse gas emissions in the state, even considering advances in vehicle technology to reduce air pollution. Larger vehicles, like popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs), can produce more than twice as much pollution as a small car!

• Wednesday: Ways to Keep your School Clean and Green

Students, educators and school administrators can all play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Thursday: Ways to Buy Clean and Green

Americans use so many Styrofoam cups each year that, if stacked end to end, they would to circle the earth 426 times. That’s one hundred cups per person per year. These cups are made from petroleum products, a non-renewable resource. The processes and resources that create, distribute, and dispose of these cups contributes to air pollution – and contribute to our continued reliance on foreign oil.

• Friday: Ways to Keep your Community Clean and Green

Be proactive to encourage smart growth. As a resident of one of the communities within ORCAA’s six county jurisdiction, you already enjoy some of one of the world’s most spectacular places to live. Help keep it clean, green and natural by sitting in on the meetings of your local planning commission or county council meetings. Encourage your government leaders to choose green design options and to make smart planning decisions.

]]> http://www.orcaa.org/2010/05/national-air-quality-awareness-week/feed/ 0 http://www.orcaa.org/2010/01/air-quality-suffers-from-stagnant-weather-residents-asked-to-reduce-burning/ http://www.orcaa.org/2010/01/air-quality-suffers-from-stagnant-weather-residents-asked-to-reduce-burning/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:23:57 +0000 admin http://www.orcaa.org/?p=1065 Air quality seems to be the first casualty from this week’s fog and stagnant air conditions.

Still, stagnant air held down by a high pressure system  means any smoke we put into the air around us, stays in the air around us. The result is rapidly rising levels of air pollution.

Our region experienced unusually high levels of air pollution in recent days as a result of outdoor burning and home-heating with woodstoves and fireplaces. In the interest of public health and safety, all residents are asked to VOLUNTARILY refrain from burning unless absolutely necessary.

ORCAA asks that residents who have alternative forms of home heating refrain from use of their woodstoves and fireplaces at least until air quality improves throughout the region. We also ask that homeowners use alternative means of disposal to clean up their yards. Chipping and composting are the best option, though other alternatives to burning are also available. You can find more details on the options at www.orcaa.org or by calling your local waste disposal company.

Residents who must rely on fireplaces or woodstoves for home heating should burn as cleanly and as efficiently as possible. By using dry wood and burning small, hot fires, residents get more heat with less smoke.

To learn about the health effects of air pollution, check out the American Lung Association of Washington’s Web site at www.alaw.org.

The FREE  clinics are all scheduled for  Saturday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. In ORCAA’s jurisdiction, you can attend in Olympia, Port Angeles or Port Townsend. The specific locations are:

Olympia Fireplace & Spa,
506 E 4th Ave,
Olympia
(360) 352-4328

Strait Flooring
1915 E Sims Way,
Port Townsend
(360) 452-3366

Everwarm Hearth & Home
257151 Hwy 101,
Port Angeles
(360) 452-3366

Additionally, if you want to lower your heating bill while helping keep our air clean and healthful, you could consider upgrading your heating equipment and/or improving your home energy efficiency. Best of all, there are many  tax incentives, rebates and other financial incentives to help you get the work done.

Offers, rebates and assistance from the U.S. government, your local utilities and social service agencies

$1,500 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency

If you purchase a qualifying energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home (principal residence) in 2009 and 2010, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% of consumer’s cost, up to $1,500.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP provides money to help low income households make home heating more affordable, avoid shutoff of utility services during the winter, and maintain a warm, safe, and healthy environment for households with young children, the elderly, and the disabled. LIHEAP offers both energy assistance as well as weatherization services.  Click here to find the program for your city or county.

USDA Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Grants

Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation grants are available to dwelling owner/occupant. Provides financing to qualified very low income homeowners to repair or make improvements to their homes, such as health and safety hazards, home weatherization, utility hookups, repairs to manufactured home .  Click here for details and how to apply in Washington state.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE)

PSE provides natural gas and/or electric service to parts of Jefferson and Thurston Counties. For their customers, PSE provides a number of rebates and efficiency upgrade incentives. See all offers for Heating & Energy Efficiency Rebates

To ensure clean, healthful air for all, ORCAA encourages residents to be responsible and to burn only when absolutely necessary even when mandatory restrictions are lifted. Air stagnation is possible throughout the winter and early spring. Voluntary reductions on indoor and outdoor burning in the region can help prevent elevated air pollution levels and therefore reduce the need for stringent burn restrictions.

People who would like to do their part to ensure clean, healthful air might consider the following simple acts to help protect the air we breathe:

• When possible, do not use any woodstove or fireplace.

• If you do have a fire in a certified stove or fireplace, consider using manufactured logs if you must burn. They are made from recycled wood products and burn cleaner than cut wood.

• Always use your woodstove or fireplace properly to ensure the cleanest burning possible. Remember that excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques and to find a current list of certified woodstoves and fireplaces, visit www.orcaa.org and click on the Programs tab in the top menu and scroll down to Woodstoves.

• Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round.

• Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org. The current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available via the links on the right. To learn about the health effects of air pollution, check out the American Lung Association of Washington’s Web site at www.alaw.org.

Under a Stage 1 Ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and all outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. Additionally, no visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute start-up period.

A system of stable, high pressure over Western Washington, coupled with cold overnight temperatures has resulted in air pollution levels climbing enough to raise concerns about the air quality and its impacts on health. A change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, yet that’s not forecast to occur until early Sunday.

While pollution levels in Thurston County warrants the Stage One Ban, other counties within the jurisdiction of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) haven’t reached that level. To avoid bans in their areas, the residents of Mason, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam and Jefferson Counties are asked to voluntarily refrain from all outdoor burning, and to use safe alternatives to wood heat if possible.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults over age 65.

Olympic Region Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted. In the meantime, here are some other things people can do to help protect the air we breathe:

• If you have a certified wood stove or fireplace insert, make sure you are using it properly so you don’t produce excess chimney smoke. Excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques or upgrading to a certified, pellet, natural gas or propane stove, visit http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/
• To determine if your stove is certified, visit http://www.orcaa.org/sections/woodstove-program/
• Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round. Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org. The current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available via the links on the right.

For more information about Burn Ban regulations, you may refer to Chapter 173-433 of the Washington Administrative Code.

For the latest news in ORCAA’s Six County Jurisdiction, please sign up for ORCAA’s email alerts to get latest news and updates: www.orcaa.org or call (360) 539-7610