Slides from a presentation given by Bill Gibbs to members of the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program. Details the work of the Clean Air Force of Central Texas and also covers air quality updates.

1. International Visitor Leadership Program
Austin Texas
Oct. 11, 2022
Presentation by Bill Gibbs, M.A.
Executive Director, Clean Air Force of Central Texas

2. My strange dream: A 100-voice choir presenting a
concert on Air Pollution Control and Emissions
Reduction Credits

3. AGENDA
TODAY  About the Clean Air Force of Central Texas
 Definition of Terms & NAAQS Overview
 Current Air Quality Status in Central Texas
 Renewable Energy in Central Texas from a
Consumer’s Point of View
 Emission Reduction Credit Program
www.cleanairforce.org

4. ONE VISION, ONE GOAL:
CLEAN AIR FOR ALL!

5. WHO ARE WE?
 Founded almost 30 years ago in response to rising
air pollution levels in our region
 Dynamic partnership of 28 Central Texas
corporations, government entities, universities, &
non-profits
 Work to reduce air polluting emissions, increase
awareness of air quality issues, educate the public,
and keep our region in compliance with strict EPA
air quality standards
 We’ll work with employers from San Antonio to
Waco, but focus on Austin and surrounding
counties
The Clean Air Force of Central Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-
profit organization.
www.cleanairforce.org

6. WHO ARE WE
NOT!
 Despite our name, we are not a military organization or
have any connection to the U.S. Air Force!
 We use the words “Air Force” in the sense that we are
group of people energetically working to solve air
pollution problems in the region…and a force for good air.
 We have no official connection to the government except
that we are an official non-profit organization in the State
of Texas and authorized by the Internal Revenue Service of
the Federal Government to accept tax-deductible gifts. We
do receive support and grants from public entities.
 PLUS, “Clean Air Force” is an easy name to help people
recognize and remember us!
www.cleanairforce.org

7. LEADERSHIP
www.cleanairforce.org
Executive Director and Executive Committee (l. to r.)
Bill Gibbs, Executive Director
Zoe Trieff, Secretary (POWER Engineers)
Melissa Reynolds, Vice-Chair (Emerson Automation Solutions)
Brett Davis, PE, Technical Consultant (non-voting)
Rick Perkins, Treasurer (Chemlogic)
Dr. Elena Craft, Chair (Environmental Defense Fund)
Adele Noel, Member-at-Large (Travis County)
Each of our partner
organizations has a
seat on the Board of
Directors. We have 28
people on our Board.

8. AWARD-
WINNING
PROGRAMS
www.cleanairforce.org
The Clean Air Force of Central Texas is
recognized at the national, state and local
levels for its programs
 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air Excellence
Award
 TCEQ Texas Environmental
Excellence Award
 Texas Nonprofit Excellence
Award for Best Collaboration
 Commute Solutions Innovative
Award
 Austin Business Journal
Going Green Award
 …and many others
Board member Rick Perkins
accepting the EPA Clean Air
Excellence Award

9. PROGRAMS
OVERVIEW
Approach 1: Air Quality Practitioners Professional
Development
1. Clean Air Partners Program
2. Air Quality Professionals Forum
3. Annual Partner Emissions Survey
4. Partner Recognition for Outstanding Effort
5. Partner Advising and Consulting
Approach 2: Public Outreach and Awareness
6. Ozone Action Day Notifications
7. Annual Meteorologists Lunch
8. Web, Social Media, TV/Radio/Newspaper Coverage
Approach 3: Air Quality Education
9. Be Air Smart School Sensor Program
Approach 4. Input and Involvement
10. Work with public agencies on air quality projects
www.cleanairforce.org

10. APPROACH 1
 Clean Air Partners are major employers who
voluntarily work to reduce harmful
emissions
 Pledge to actively reduce ozone precursor
and Particulate Matter (PM2.5) emissions
 Report accomplishments annually and pay
partnership dues based on company size
www.cleanairforce.org

11. OUR 28 CLEAN AIR
PARTNERS

12.  Part of the Clean Air Partners Program
 Brings together Air Quality practitioners from
our partner employers for professional
development
 Quarterly lunch meetings with technical
presentations by air quality experts
 Informal and formal interaction with other Air
Quality Professionals from a variety of
Air Quality
Professionals Forum
www.cleanairforce.org

13. PROGRAMS  Help partners develop effective emissions control
strategies
 Want partners to avoid costly regulation,
permitting, & oversight that comes with non-
attainment
 Recognize and celebrate successful reductions
 Help create community goodwill for partners
 Partners become part of award-winning team
 Networking and information sharing
Other Clean Air Partner Benefits
www.cleanairforce.org

14.  Air Quality Professionals Forum
 Access/Networking with other professionals
 Annual Partner Emissions Survey
 Emissions Policy Resource Center
(coming soon)
How We Promote Professional Development
www.cleanairforce.org
The Clean Air Force is the only organization in Central
Texas that provides AQ-specific training/information for
Air Quality Professionals and that promotes
networking/information sharing
especially focused on Air Quality issues.

15. PUBLIC
AWARENESS
• Informs about Air Quality and thanks
Meteorologists for helping publicize Ozone Action
Days
Yearly Meteorologists Luncheon
www.cleanairforce.org

16. Email alerts to 1,000+ subscribers
with tips and pointers to reduce
emissions during Ozone Action
Days
Ozone Action Day Notifications
www.cleanairforce.org

17.  Social Media and
Website
 Media Interviews,
Appearances
 Ozone Action Season
Kickoff Event
 Collaborative awareness
efforts with Councils of
Governments, cities,
counties and TCEQ
Outreach and Awareness
www.cleanairforce.org

18. We place PurpleAir Particulate Matter
Sensors at local schools and provide
educational material to support their use
Be Air Smart PM Sensor School Program
www.cleanairforce.org

19. DOES IT
MATTER?
YES!
 The Austin/Central Texas metro area
remains the ONLY large city in America
that has never gone out of EPA Air
Quality Attainment
 Our residents breathe easier—in a very
literal sense—because of the quality of
the air we have in Central Texas
www.cleanairforce.org

20. THE ECONOMIC
COST OF
NONATTAINMEN
T
Nonattainment could cost the
companies in the region between $900
million and $1.4 billion* each year
• More extensive permitting
• Required purchase of emission control equipment
• Higher scrutiny by state and federal agencies
• Enforced regulation vs. voluntary management
• Must purchase Emission Credits to expand
And lost opportunities…
Major projects such as Samsung’s expansion
and Tesla’s new factory may not have
occurred had the region been in
nonattainment
*Capitol Area Council of Governments estimate
www.cleanairforce.org

21. THE
ENVIRONMENTA
L COST OF
NONATTAINMEN
T
Nonattainment also means that our neighbors and our
Central Texas environment are adversely affected.
Air Pollution is a major health hazard, especially for the
very young, the elderly, and those who already have
respiratory problems, It increases the risk of infection,
heart disease and lung cancer.
Air Pollution impacts plants, birds, and animals as well,
lowering their resistance to diseases and inhibiting
their ability to thrive.
Let’s keep Central
Texas skies
blue and unpolluted!
www.cleanairforce.org

22. DOES IT
MATTER?
“Preventing air pollution
offers important economic
benefits, as air pollution
never created avoids the
need for expensive
investments. Air pollution
prevention has the exciting
potential of both protecting
the environment and
strengthening economic
growth.”
--Adapted from a statement by Carol
www.cleanairforce.org

23. ONE VISION
ONE GOAL
CLEAN AIR
FOR ALL!
“Clean air is important to us
all. We believe that
everyone has a role to play
in helping to protect it. We
value our Clean Air
as we work together to
keep the air in Central Texas
clean and in compliance
with EPA standards”
--Dr. Elena Craft, Chair
www.cleanairforce.org

24. Definition of Terms &
NAAQS Overview

25. AQI Air Quality Index
EPA Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. Agency)
TCEQ Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (State Agency)
Attainment/Non-Attainment Compliance with Standards
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
1. Ground-level Ozone (O3)
2. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
3. Lead (Pb),
4. Nitrogen Dioxide NO2)
5. Particulate Matter (PM)
6. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2).
OZAD Ozone Action Day
Design The level of pollutants allowed by the EPA and
Value the actual regional value.

26. National
Ambient
Air
Quality
Standards
(NAAQS)
These are
current
standards and
are under review
by the EPA. We
expect even
tougher
standards
starting in 2023

27. Current Status of Air Quality
In Central Texas

28. This is from California, but our region
would have similar percentages. Not
that transportation typically is the
largest source of pollution, followed by
industry.
Source: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
Air Pollution Sources

29. Traditionally, over the past 20+ years Central Texas AQ has been outstanding

31. 2022 has been an unusually poor year for Air Quality in Texas
25 Ozone Action Days in 2022 compared to 3.3 over the past 10 years!
2013-22 Ozone Action Days (OZAD) in Austin-Round Rock
2022 Yearly # Year Total OZADs
7-Oct 25 2021 4
6-Oct 24 2020 2
4-Oct 23 2019 4
3-Oct 22 2018 8
2-Oct 21 2017 3
1-Oct 20 2016 2
30-Sep 19 2015 1
29-Sep 18 2014 1
28-Sep 17 2013 5
27-Sep 16 Total 30
23-Sep 15 Average 3.34
22-Sep 14
15-Sep 13 This year: 25
14-Sep 12
10-Sep 11
9-Sep 10
12-Aug 9
13-Jul 8
10-Jul 7
28-May 6
27-May 5
26-May 4
3-Apr 3
25-Mar 2
19-Mar 1

32. DFW, Houston, San Antonio and
Austin have all had excessively high
ozone multiple days this year.
In Austin we have surpassed 70ppb O3 8-
hour levels (EPA Design Value) at official
monitoring stations and at non-
regulatory monitors for the first time in
many years.
Doing this in 2023 and 2024 could cause
us to go out of attainment. (3 year
average)

33. What is causing the bad AQ?
1. Weather: Unusually hot (even for Texas), no rain, low winds
All summer long we have experienced ideal ozone formation conditions
2. Growth in population and traffic congestion (116 people move to Austin every day)
Photo: “Sunshine” (2007 film)

34. Broad community
involvement doing the
“Texas Top Ten”
(cleanairforce.org/texas-top-
10/)
Clean Air Partners:
Continue to add major
employers each
pledging to reduce
emissions. This reduces
both point source
emissions and
commuting emissions.
Pray for rain!
(We need it for lots of
reasons!)
What is the solution?

35. Renewable Energy In Central
Texas from a Consumer’s Point of
View

36. As a homeowner myself, I appreciate renewable energy incentives. We have net-metering, which means
our electrical provider commits to purchase our excess generation.
1. Austin has 300 days of sunshine every year.
2. Federal tax rebate of 26% for my solar panels.
36 solar panels that generate 21 MW/yr.
saving $3,177 @ $.149 KW.
3. Saving $100+ monthly, including solar loan and usage
4. With the tax rebate and production, estimate full amortization in 10 years. Panels should last 25 years.
5. During months with little AC (Nov-April) we have no
electric bill except a small service charge.
6. We also have a plug-in hybrid car,
averaging about 85 miles/gallon (2.8L/100KM).
Most in-town trips take no gasoline at all.
Austin Energy has 1,000 charging stations @$4.17 month

37. Emission Reduction Credit
Program (ERC)

38. Disclaimer
Because Austin is not out
of EPA attainment,
companies in our region
do not need to generate
credit.
Consequently, I am not an
expert on Emissions
Reduction Credit (ERC),
but do have a working
familiarity.
Material in this
presentation is based on
my understanding of 30
TRAC Chapter 101,
Subchapter H, Division 1
in the Texas Law Code,
the TCEQ and other
sources, not first-hand
experience.

39. Emissions Reduction Credit Definition and Process
What is the ERC?
A method to generate credit by creating permanent emission reductions in
nonattainment areas throughout Texas. Currently 3 regions in Texas are in non-
attainment and qualify for ERCs: Beaumont/Port Arthur, Houston (Houston,
Galveston Brazoria—HGB), and Dallas-Fort Worth.
How are Credits generated?
Participants create permanent emissions reductions from stationary, area, and
mobile sources.
Stationary and area source reductions are ERCs. Mobile source reductions are
MERCs (Mobile ERCs). Electrical Generation Facility reductions are EGFs.
Companies must apply to the TCEQ via the State of Texas Environmental
Reporting System (STEERS), giving intent to generate credits and to trade those

40. What are ERCs?
(Information from Jacob Morrison, Air Permits Division, TECQ)
• Voluntary Reductions of criteria
pollutants (excluding lead) or
precursors criteria pollutants
• Permanent, enforceable, real,
quantifiable, and surplus
• Generated and used in
nonattainment areas
• Expire after 60 months
• Applications due after reduction
date

41. As part of the application, the company will need to include this
information:
a. General details about the project
b. Facility Identification Number
c. Supporting documents
d. Types of state permits and permit numbers
e. Applicable regulation for each facility
f. Acceptable types of VOC speciation sources for each facility
g. Site analysis
Credits can be issued for:
• On-Road NOx (Nitrogen Dioxide)
• On-Road VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• Non-Road NOx
• Non-Road VOC
• Area Source NOx
According to the TECQ website,
only a few companies actually
have completed all paperwork
and secured credits.
In the entire state only about
25 companies have current
secured credits Many of these,
however, have secured them for
multiple facilities. As an
example, the Magellan
Terminals Holding Company
has two facilities, with a total of
38.9 credits, according to the
TCEQ. At market prices these
credits could be worth between
$5.8 to $11.6 million (USD).

42. Cap and Trade
In non-attainment counties the amount of
pollution is capped. A new or greatly modified
facility will not be allowed to if it creates new
sources of pollution. However, if previous
reductions can offset the new emissions, &
keep the area under the cap, then the new
facility could be permitted to be built.
This can be done by purchasing ERCs and
redeeming them.
Allowing companies to buy, sell and trade ERCs is a very helpful system to the environment, as it attaches
economic values to air pollution. If you cut your pollution, you gain credits which can be sold or traded to
enhance the bottom line.
And the credits do not need to be sold or traded, either. If a company is seeking to expand, it can use credits
created by reductions to have enough to cover expansion. (

43. AERCOs: A Public-Private Collaboration
The Houston-Galveston region is in non-attainment
with the EPA under the Clean Air Act (CAA). There
can be NO NET increases in air emissions for the
eight counties that make up that region.
The Texas legislature set up “Area Emissions
Reduction Credit Organizations (AERCOs) for the
trading of emission credits, including one in
Houston. AERCOs are non-profits, regulated by the
state, and operate like a “bank.” They allow
companies to buy, sell, trade, or donate credits.
Donating credits provides a tax deduction to the
company.
Under the Clean Air Act rules, emission reductions
offset new emissions by a 1.3 to 1 ratio. This way
the region is continually reducing overall emissions,
even as new facilities are built.
ERCs are set by market demand. In
Houston VOC credits ranged from
$150,000 to $300,000 in recent years.
(data from Emissions Advisors)

44. Carbon Credits
This presentation does not have time to cover carbon credits and carbon offsets. For a good overview,
visit
Carboncredits.com and search for this guide:

45. SUMMARY
Air Pollution knows no boundaries. It crosses city,
country, state and national borders.
But it can be managed.
 Voluntary reductions are best
 Companies doing the right things need to be celebrated
 The best pollution control is pollution never created in
the first place
 There is a strong role for government to play in air
pollution control both at the local and national level
 Individuals and companies work best when incentivized
www.cleanairforce.org

46. www.cleanairforce.org
bgibbs@cleanairforce.org
979-777-0171
CLEAN AIR FOR ALL!