Section 10-A618. E-4.1 REDUCING AIR POLLUTION

 

618.1Most Washington residents have experienced the effects of poor air quality at one time or another. On smoggy summer days, the Washington Monument and National Cathedral may not even be visible from high vantage points in the city. However, the most serious effects of air pollution are on human health. These range from minor problems like watery eyes and headaches to serious respiratory problems and heart ailments. 618.1

 

618.2The greatest contributor to air pollution in the Washington area is motor vehicle emissions. Emissions from local smokestacks and other “stationary” sources are fairly limited, although the District is subject to such pollution from upwind states. While cleaner-burning gasoline has helped reduce pollution to some degree, urban sprawl and accompanying congestion have countered this gain. Clearly, reducing motor vehicle emissions is not something the District can do on its own. Numerous multi-state organizations and regional committees exist to address the issue, all working toward compliance with federal Clean Air Act standards. These entities focus not only on reducing vehicle emissions, but also on curbing other sources of pollution, ranging from power plants and jet fuel to consumer products such as paints, lawnmowers, and home fireplaces and barbecues. 618.2

 

618.3The Clean Air Act establishes standards for six criteria pollutants. These are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide. Areas where these standards are not met are designated as “nonattainment” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As of 2005, the Washington area is classified as a moderate non-attainment area for the federal 8-hour ozone standard. The region is also a non-attainment area for ground level ozone and for fine particulates. Because of this status, the District (along with Maryland and Virginia) must prepare “State Implementation Plans” (SIPs) to demonstrate how they will attain federal air quality standards. 618.3

 

618.4Figure 6.1 shows the number of days the federal 8-hour ozone standard was exceeded at three monitoring locations in the District between 1995 and 2005. Exceedances fluctuate from year to year, and appear to be highest during years of warmer weather. During the last three years, the federal standard was exceeded fewer than five days a year, but was exceeded more than 20 days during 2002. 618.4

 

618.5Figure 6.1: Exceedances of the Federal 8-Hour Ozone Standard, 1995-2005

 

http://planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/2006_revised_comp_plan/6_environprotection.pdf.

 

618.6Policy E-4.1.1: Attaining Air Quality Standards

 

Continue to undertake programs and initiatives that move the region closer to attaining and maintaining federal air quality standards. Expand these programs as feasible to incorporate new technology and to reflect best practices around the country. 618.6

 

618.7Policy E-4.1.2: Regional Planning

 

Recognize that air quality is a regional issue that requires multijurisdictional strategies and solutions. Accordingly, work with surrounding cities, counties, states, the federal government, and appropriate regional organizations to more effectively conduct air quality planning. 618.7

 

618.8Policy E-4.1.3: Evaluating Development Impacts On Air Quality

 

Evaluate potential air emissions from new and expanded development, including transportation improvements and municipal facilities, to ensure that measures are taken to mitigate any possible adverse impacts. These measures should include construction controls to reduce airborne dust, and requirements for landscaping and tree planting to absorb carbon monoxide and other pollutants. 618.8

 

618.9Policy E-4.1.4: Stationary Sources

 

Maintain controls on gaseous and particulate emissions from stationary sources of air pollution in the city, such as power plants and refrigeration plants. Particular attention should be given to monitoring the air quality impacts of local power plants, which are the largest stationary sources of air pollution in the District. 618.9

 

618.10Policy E-4.1.5: Improving Air Quality Through Transportation Efficiency

 

Promote strategies that reduce motor vehicle emissions in the District and surrounding region. As outlined in the Land Use and Transportation Elements of this Comprehensive Plan, this includes the development of a fully integrated regional system of buses, streetcars, rail transit, bicycles, taxis, and pedestrian facilities to make it easier and more convenient to travel without an automobile. It also includes the promotion of trip reduction measures such as videoconference facilities, telecommuting, flextime, and carpooling. Strategies to reduce congestion and idling time, such as improved signal timing and reversible commute lanes also should contribute to air quality improvement. 618.10

 

618.11Policy E-4.1.6: Clean Fuels

 

Encourage the use of clean fuel vehicles and enhance efforts to place refueling and recharging equipment at facilities accessible for public use. Where feasible, provide financial incentives for District residents and business to use clean vehicles, such as reduced motor vehicle tax and license fees. 618.11

 

618.12Policy E-4.1.7: Best Available Control Technology

 

Encourage the use of best available control technology for minor sources of air pollution such as boilers, generators, and construction and maintenance equipment. 618.12

 

618.13Policy E-4.1.8: Air Quality Education

 

Support increased public awareness of air quality issues through “Air Quality Action Day” programs, publication of air quality data, and distribution of educational materials that outline steps residents and businesses can take to help maintain clean air.

 

618.14Action E-4.1.A: State Implementation Plan (SIP)

 

Cooperate with appropriate state, regional and federal agencies to carry out the federally-mandated State Implementation Plan (SIP) in order to attain federal standards for ground level ozone and fine particulate matter by 2010. 618.14

 

618.15Action E-4.1.B: Control of Bus and Truck Emissions

 

Collaborate with WMATA and local tour bus operators to reduce diesel bus emissions through the acquisition and use of clean fuel transit vehicles. Additionally, encourage natural gas powered, electric powered, and hybrid commercial trucks to reduce emissions and improve air quality. 618.15

 

618.16Action E-4.1.C: Motor Vehicle Inspection Programs

 

Regularly update the District’s motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program to ensure that the latest emission control and monitoring technologies are being employed. Consider expanding requirements for heavy vehicle emission inspections. 618.16

 

618.17Action E-4.1.D: Air Quality Monitoring

 

Continue to operate a system of air quality monitors around the District, and take corrective actions in the event the monitors exceed federal standards. 618.17

 

618.18The Link Between Land Use, Transportation and Air Quality

 

Land use and transportation policies work in tandem to affect our region’s air quality. In general, the more “vehicle miles” Washington area residents must travel to reach home, work, shopping, and services, the worse our air quality becomes. Longer commutes are compounded by traffic congestion, which results in additional emissions from idling cars. Despite the use of cleaner-burning fuels, attaining federal air quality standards will be difficult until we fundamentally rethink the way we as a region handle our growth. The District is fortunate to have one of the best transit systems in the country and many options to traveling without a car. But we’re not an island. Our air is impacted from pollution from the suburbs, and by power plant emissions from places as far away as the Ohio Valley. The city can do its part to contribute to air quality improvements by focusing on two key land use strategies. First, directing future growth to parts of the city where car ownership is an option and not a necessity. Second, encouraging the mixing of land uses such as housing, shopping, and offices to reduce the need for routine car trips. As the Land Use Element of this Plan notes, and as previous Comprehensive Plans for the District have noted, “transit-oriented development” around Metrorail stations and along bus corridors can help create a city with cleaner air and more housing and transportation choices for its residents.

 

618.19Action E-4.1.E: Cities for Climate Protection Campaign

 

Implement the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, signed by the District in 2005. Also implement the recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions contained in the District of Columbia Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories and Preliminary Projections released in October 2005. This agreement aims to reduce global warming pollution levels to seven percent below 1990 levels by 2012, the levels set by the Kyoto Protocol for developed countries. 618.19

 

See the Transportation Element for additional policies on improving mass transit, pedestrian and bicycle circulation, and transportation management.

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.