Houston‐Galveston‐Brazoria(HGB)PM2.5Advance

PathForwardUpdate

PREPAREDINPARTNERSHIPWITHMEMBERSOFTHEH‐GACREGIONALAIRQUALITYPLANNINGADVISORYCOMMITTEE

2017UPDATE

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HOUSTON‐GALVESTON‐BRAZORIA(HGB)PM2.5ADVANCEPATHFORWARDCONTENTSAcknowledgements  (inalphabeticalorder).................................................................................................................................5 ExecutiveSummary................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Introduction...............................................................................................................................................................................................................7 OverallProgramObjective.............................................................................................................................................................................7 MissionoftheLocalProgram.......................................................................................................................................................................7 VoluntaryProgramScope...............................................................................................................................................................................7 

ProgramDevelopmentProcess.........................................................................................................................................................................7 TheRegion.................................................................................................................................................................................................................8 Houston‐GalvestonAreaCouncil.................................................................................................................................................................8 Population&Employment.............................................................................................................................................................................8 TransportationSystem....................................................................................................................................................................................8 

AirQualityBackground:AirPollution............................................................................................................................................................9 ParticulateMatter(PM)..................................................................................................................................................................................9 PastandPresentStatusofPM2.5inHGB...................................................................................................................................................9 HGBMonitoringNetwork.............................................................................................................................................................................11 HGBPM2.5Inventory.......................................................................................................................................................................................12 HarrisCountyPM2.5InventorySummary..............................................................................................................................................14 

PastandPresentInitiatives..............................................................................................................................................................................15 AirQualityProgramsatH‐GAC..................................................................................................................................................................15 CleanVehicles&CleanSchoolBusPrograms......................................................................................................................................15 CleanVesselsforTexasWaters..................................................................................................................................................................16 CommuteSolutions:CleanAirChampions............................................................................................................................................16 CommuteSolutions:RideMatch................................................................................................................................................................16 CommuteSolutions:Telework...................................................................................................................................................................16 CommuteSolutions:METROSTARVanpoolProgram.....................................................................................................................16 CommuteSolutions:PilotProjects...........................................................................................................................................................17 EnergyCorridorDistrict’sCarshareProgram......................................................................................................................................17 DrayageLoanProgram..................................................................................................................................................................................17 Pedestrian&BicyclistProgram.................................................................................................................................................................17 VoluntaryIdlingReductionProgram.......................................................................................................................................................18 RegionalTCEQTexasEmissionReductionPlan(TERP).................................................................................................................18 RegionalTexasEmissionReductionPlan(TERP)..............................................................................................................................19 

CleanAirEducation..............................................................................................................................................................................................19 AirQualityForecastandPMActionDayE‐MailAlertsystem......................................................................................................19 DriveCleanAcrossTexas.............................................................................................................................................................................19 OzoneViewerMobileApp...........................................................................................................................................................................19 AirQualityReferenceGuide........................................................................................................................................................................19 

DustSuppressionProjectsIntheClintonDriveArea.............................................................................................................................19 CityofHouston.......................................................................................................................................................................................................20 RenewableEnergy...........................................................................................................................................................................................20 GreenBuildingsandEnergyEfficiency...................................................................................................................................................20 GreenFleets........................................................................................................................................................................................................21 Anti‐IdlingPolicies..........................................................................................................................................................................................21 

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HoustonAirportSystemEmissionsReductions.................................................................................................................................21 BikeShareProgram........................................................................................................................................................................................22 MetalRecyclersTaskForce(MAPPS)......................................................................................................................................................22 SafePassageOrdinanceandCompleteStreetsPolicy......................................................................................................................22 VoluntaryEnvironmentalComplianceAgreements..........................................................................................................................22 ConcreteBatchPlants....................................................................................................................................................................................23 

HarrisCountyEnhancedEnforcementProgramForSmokingVehicles........................................................................................23 MetropolitanTransitAuthorityofHarrisCounty....................................................................................................................................23 LightRailExpansion&NewBusNetwork............................................................................................................................................23 BusFleet..............................................................................................................................................................................................................24 METROBikesonBuses..................................................................................................................................................................................24 

PortHouston...........................................................................................................................................................................................................24 BayportExpansionandIncreasedEfficiency.......................................................................................................................................24 Cleaner,More‐EfficientlyOperatingCranes.........................................................................................................................................24 LynxandContainerTrackingMobileApp.............................................................................................................................................24 BayportTerminalOperationalImprovements....................................................................................................................................25 GateAutomation...............................................................................................................................................................................................25 Partnerships.......................................................................................................................................................................................................25 

TexasDepartmentofTransportation...........................................................................................................................................................26 RailroadProjects...................................................................................................................................................................................................26 Anti‐IdlingEngineControls.........................................................................................................................................................................26 RefurbishedSwitcherandLowEmissionEngines.............................................................................................................................26 

RegulatoryProjects..............................................................................................................................................................................................27 EPA’sControlofEmissionsFromShips..................................................................................................................................................27 FederalMotorVehicleControlProgram................................................................................................................................................27 

IndustryProjects...................................................................................................................................................................................................27 EnergyEfficiencyInHGB...................................................................................................................................................................................28 PotentialandFutureProjects...........................................................................................................................................................................28 AirQualityPrograms&PartnerProjects....................................................................................................................................................28 CleanVehicles&CleanSchoolBusPrograms......................................................................................................................................28 DOEZero‐EmissionDeliveryVehicleDemonstrationProject.......................................................................................................29 RegionalTERP...................................................................................................................................................................................................29 ExpansionofMassEmissionsCapandTradeProgram...................................................................................................................29 

CleanAirEducation..............................................................................................................................................................................................29 PMFilterOutreachCampaign.....................................................................................................................................................................29 

HoustonIndependentSchoolDistrict(HISD)...........................................................................................................................................30 HISDElectricVehicleSchoolBusDemonstrationProject...............................................................................................................30 

CityofHouston.......................................................................................................................................................................................................30 RenewableEnergy...........................................................................................................................................................................................30 

PortHouston...........................................................................................................................................................................................................30 FutureDustSuppressionProjects............................................................................................................................................................30 BroadwayDoubleTrackProject................................................................................................................................................................31 NaturalGas.........................................................................................................................................................................................................31 BarboursCutandBayportExtendedGatehours................................................................................................................................31 

OtherRegionalPortProjects............................................................................................................................................................................31 

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OverweightContainerRouteBetweenHGBRegionPorts..............................................................................................................31 RailroadProjects...................................................................................................................................................................................................32 ReplacementofRailroadSwitcherEngines..........................................................................................................................................32 

RegulatoryProjects..............................................................................................................................................................................................32 Tier‐3MotorVehicleFuelandEmissionStandards..........................................................................................................................32 

Conclusion................................................................................................................................................................................................................33 

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (inalphabeticalorder)RAQPACMembers&AlternateMembers

1. AndyMao,TxDOT/CharlesAiriohuodion(Government)2. BakeyahNelson,AirAllianceHouston/LeticiaAblaza(Citizen/Environmental)3. BobAllen,HarrisCountyPollutionControlServices/StuartMueller(LocalGovernment)4. CraigBeskid,EHCMA/SteveSmith(Business/Industry)5. DaleKornegay,AssociatedGeneralContractors/MarcAnderson(Business/Industry)6. EdmundPetry,METRO/VincentSanders(LocalGovernment)7. ElenaCraft,EnvironmentalDefenseFund/MaiaDraper(Citizen/Environmental)8. GaryScoggin,Regional/JoseBoix(Citizen/Environmental)9. IlanaHarris,CityofSugarLand/SuneNantah(LocalGovernment)10. JacqueDarbonne,HarrisCountyPrecinct2/MattVanVleck(LocalGovernment)11. JoeRipple,BrazoriaRegion(Citizen/Environmental)12. KristenGauthier,CityofLaPorte/DenaMahan(LocalGovernment)13. LauraBlackburn,LeagueofWomenVotersoftheHoustonArea/NancyParra

(Citizen/Environmental)14. KenGathright,PortHouston(Business/Industry)15. LorenRaun,CityofHouston/TanwirBadar(LocalGovernment)16. MikeLindsey,MontgomeryCounty/RubenMartinez(LocalGovernment)17. MustaphaBeydoun,HoustonAdvancedResearchCenter/EduardoOlaguer

(Citizen/Environmental)18. PareshLad,CityofHouston/DonRichner(LocalGovernment)19. PauletteWolfson,AmericanLungAssociation(Citizen/Environmental)20. PhillipGoodwin,CityofHouston(LocalGovernment)21. RichardBrown,LibertyCounty/SandraPickett(LocalGovernment)22. RichardZientek,UnionPacific/TomanickaMorris(Business/Industry)23. RonnieJames,HarrisCounty(LocalGovernment)24. RonnieSchultz,GalvestonCounty/LoriFitzSimmons‐Evans(LocalGovernment)25. ShermanHampton,ExxonMobilBaytown/KellyCoppola(Business/Industry)26. StevenHansen,GreaterHoustonPartnership/SteveSmith(Business/Industry)27. WillNipper,DowChemicalCompany/LianeM.Platt(Business/Industry)

EPAStaffCarlYoungKenBoyceRandyPitreH‐GACStaffCharlesWempleAlanClarkEuloisCleckleyShelleyWhitworthAndrewDeCandisMichaelFuller

TCEQStaffDonnaHuffJimPriceKristenJacobsenLolaBrownMatthewSouthardMelanieRousseauStephenDavisWalkerWilliamson

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EXECUTIVESUMMARYH‐GAChasdeveloped the followingPathForwardupdate inpartnershipwith theRegionalAirQualityPlanning Advisory Committee (RAQPAC), as part of our involvement in the voluntary EPA ParticulateMatter(PM)AdvanceProgram.Participationinthisprogramisaresultofsignificantcollaborationbetweenlocal governments, key citizen/environmental groups, industry representatives and other regionalstakeholderstoassistourregioninmeetingthePM2.5airqualitystandard.ThisPathForwardUpdateincludesavarietyofvoluntaryregionalairqualityimprovementefforts.Theseprojectsrangefromthereplacementofolderheavy‐dutytruckandmarineengineswithnewer,cleanermodels, to fundingelectricvehiclechargingequipment, tovoluntary industryand localgovernmentairqualityinitiatives.H‐GACprogramsalonehaveresultedinPM2.5reductionsinourregion.Over50currentH‐GAC and partner programs and projects as well as nearly 20 additional potential future initiativespresentedinthisdocumentwillcontinuetoachievereductions.ThisreportincludesupdatestoongoingprojectsaswellasdetailingnewPM2.5reducingprojectwithintheregion.WorkwillcontinueinfutureyearsasthiseffortcontinuestodocumentandexpandeduponprogramswithintheHoustonregion.On January 12, 2015, the EPA designated the Houston‐Galveston‐Brazoria (HGB) region as“unclassifiable/attainment” for the2012primaryannualPM2.5annualNAAQS.TheHGBregionremainsbelowtheNationalAmbientAirQualityStandardforfineparticlepollution.Bymaintainingandexpandingregionalcollaborationonvoluntaryprojects,ourregioncontinuestoreducePM2.5concentrations,positionitself to avoid a nonattainment designation, and be prepared for potentially more stringent futurestandards.

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INTRODUCTIONOVERALLPROGRAMOBJECTIVEThe Particulate Matter (PM) Advance Program is a voluntary, collaborative effort between localgovernmentandkeyregionalstakeholderstoorganizeandreportoneffortstocontinuetomeettherevisedPM2.5NationalAmbientAirQualityStandard(NAAQS).Thecurrentstandard,whichincludesa12.0μg/m3annualstandardanda35μg/m324‐hourstandard,becameeffectiveonDecember14,2012.TheNAAQSarehealth‐basedairqualitystandardsthatfollowruleslaidoutinitiallyaspartofthefederalCleanAirAct.Another goal of the PMAdvance Program is to foster an understanding of local air quality issues andpromoteimplementationofnear‐terminitiativesthatmaintainand/orimproveambientPM2.5levels.MISSIONOFTHELOCALPROGRAMThemission of the PM Advance Program is to promote, identify, expand, and improve voluntary PMreductionefforts (bothexistingandpotential futureopportunities)within theareaswherecompliancewiththe2012PM2.5NAAQSmaybeatrisk.TheProgramalsoservesasacatalysttoencourageacceleratedimplementation of voluntary clean air strategies as well as to develop additional participation in PMreductioneffortssuchasvehiclereplacementprograms.Participation inthePMAdvanceprogramalsoprovidesanopportunityforstakeholderstopromotetheirownPMreductioneffortsandtakeadvantageoffundingopportunitiesthatmaybeavailableforadditionalreductionactivities.VOLUNTARYPROGRAMSCOPEParticipation in PMAdvance has allowed the region to create a collaborative platform to identify andlaunchpotentialPMreductionefforts.Regionalstakeholdershaveworkedtogethervoluntarilytodevelopthis Path Forward to meet the stated mission. Program participation does not create or remove anystatutoryorregulatoryrequirementsbutcanserveasanearlyactionframeworktomaintaincompliancewithairqualitystandards.Pleasenote:thisPathForwardupdateremainsalivingdocument.Thisisthefourthiterationofthisreportandadditionalperiodicre‐evaluationoflocalmeasuresisanticipatedandwillbereflectedinfutureversionsofthisreport.PROGRAMDEVELOPMENTPROCESSThe H‐GAC Regional Air Quality Planning Advisory Committee (RAQPAC) – representing localgovernments,citizen/environmentalgroupsandbusiness/industrystakeholders–hasexaminedpotentialvoluntaryactionstocontinuetoquicklyreducelevelsoffineparticulatematterintheformofPM2.5.Tothisend,theH‐GACBoardofDirectorshasauthorizedH‐GACstafftodevelopvoluntarystrategiestoreducefineparticulatematterasrecommendedbyRAQPACandthePM2.5TaskForce.TheRAQPACPM2.5TaskForceconvenedtocollaborateonthedevelopmentoftheoriginalPMAdvancePathForward.TaskForceeffortsincludedmeetingstodiscussandreviewofpast,present,andpotentialfuturePMreductionprojectswithintheeight‐countyHGBozonenonattainmentareaamongstRAQPACmembers,stakeholdersandinterestedpublic.EffortsalsoincludedpresentationsonPM2.5compositioninHoustonbyTCEQandothers.ThisTaskForcewasreconvenedinMayof2017tobeginworkonthismostrecentupdateofthisreport.Followingthismeeting,H‐GACstaffandTaskForcemembersbeganthetaskofupdatingthisdocumenttoincludethemostup‐to‐dateinformationonregionalPM2.5reductionefforts.

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THEREGIONHOUSTON‐GALVESTONAREACOUNCILTheHouston‐GalvestonAreaCouncil(H‐GAC)istheregion‐widevoluntaryassociationoflocalgovernmentsforthe13‐countyGulfCoastPlanningregionofTexas.H‐GACisalsothe Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for theeight‐countyHouston‐Galveston‐Brazoria(HGB)area.Thisarea includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston,Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller Counties. Thescopeofthisreportfocusesontheeight‐countyHGBarea.POPULATION&EMPLOYMENT1TheHGB region has experienced dramatic changes in itspopulationsizeandcompositionoverthelastfewdecades,and these trends are expected to continue. The region isprojecting a significant increase in population andemployment over the next 25 years. There are currentlynearly6.5millionresidentsand3.1millionjobswithintheregion. By 2040, the regional population is expected toreach 9.6 million residents (an increase of 3.1 millionpeople).Similarly,theregionisexpectedtocreateanadditional1.1millionjobsforatotalofmorethan4millionandseeanalmost60%increase invehicular travelandadoublingof themovementof freight.Projectedpopulationgrowthwillalsoresult ineconomicchangesstemmingfromincreasedpurchasingpowerandtaxrevenue.TRANSPORTATIONSYSTEMEveryday,morethan163millionmilesaretraveledonthesystem’sroadways2.Withinourregion,thereareapproximately26,000centerlinemilesof locally‐ownedroadsandalmost4,000centerlinemilesofstate‐ownedfacilities3.Inaddition,theregioncurrentlyhasmorethan190milesofHighOccupancyVehicle(HOV)/High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes in operation 4 . Regional transit includes bus routes, theMETRORaillightrailsystem,commutertransitroutes,smallervehicleroutes,andferries.TheHGBregion’stransportationsystemalsoincludesbikeways,freightrail,ports,airports,andpipelines.CongestionremainsamajorchallengefacingtheHGBregion.Thenumberofmorningandeveningpeakhours continues to increase as the number of commuters travelling to and from work increase. It isanticipated that congestion in our region will continue to grow given the projected population,employment,andeconomicgrowthfacingourregion.

1H‐GAC2040RegionalTransportationPlan:www.h‐gac.com/taq/plan/2040/2H‐GACTDM,2016(typicalfallweekdayVMT‐allHGBroadways)3TxDOTStandardReports20124H‐GAC2015RegionalMobilityReport

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AIRQUALITYBACKGROUND:AIRPOLLUTIONAirpollutionoccurswhentheaircontainsgases,particles,fumes,orodorsthatcouldbeharmfultothehealthorcomfortofhumansandanimalsorwhichcouldcausedamage toplantsandmaterials.Thesepollutantsmayresultfromnaturallyoccurringsourcessuchaswindblowndustorvolcaniceruptionsaswellasstationarysourcessuchasfactories,powerplants,orotherindustrialsitesormobilesourcessuchascars,trucks,orairplanesTheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)hassetbothprimaryandsecondarystandards(NationalAmbientAirQualityStandardsorNAAQS)forsix“criteria”pollutants.Theseinclude:carbonmonoxide,lead, nitrogen dioxide, 10 micrometer particulate matter (PM10), 2.5 micrometer particulate matter(PM2.5),ground‐levelozone,andsulfurdioxide.Theregionhashistoricallybeenmost troubledbyhighconcentrations of ground‐level ozone, however there have been additional concerns about elevatedconcentrationsofPM2.5.ItistheseelevatedconcentrationsthatresultedinregionalparticipationinthePMAdvanceprogram.Itisthroughthisprogram,aswellasthroughotherEPA‐ledprograms,thatH‐GACanditspartnerscontinuetowork to reduce air pollution andhelp the regionmeet federal air quality standards.Through theseefforts,theregionhasmadeconsiderableprogresstowardsreducingbothground‐levelozoneandparticlematteremissionsoverthelastdecade.PARTICULATEMATTER(PM)Particlepollution is a complexmixtureof extremely smallparticles.This typeofpollution is generallyreferredtoasparticulatematterorPM.ComponentsofPMincludeparticlesorliquidssuchasdust,flyash,soot,smoke,aerosols,fumes,andmistsaswellascondensedvaporsthatcanbesuspendedintheair.EPAgroupsparticlepollutionintotwocategories:Inhalablecoarseparticles(PM10)andfineparticles(PM2.5).The sizeofparticles isdirectly linked to theirpotential for causinghealthproblems.Particles that aresmallerthan10micrometersindiameter(PM10andPM2.5)areabletopassthroughthethroatanddeepinto the lungs where they can cause serious health effects. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) generallyconsistsofsoot,whichisgenerallymadeupofelementalorganiccarbonfromsourcesincludingsoilandsourcesofsulfates,nitratesaswellasotherionicspeciesformedintheatmosphere.PASTANDPRESENTSTATUSOFPM2.5INHGBThe HGB area has experienced significant improvements in PM2.5 levels over the past ten years.Historically, the HGB area has been designated as “unclassified/attainment” for particulate matterstandardsforboththePM2.5andPM10standards.DetailsoftheparticulatematterNAAQSarefoundinthetablebelow.Notethatin2012,EPAloweredtheprimaryannualNAAQSforfineparticles(PM2.5)to12.0μg/m3tobemoreprotectiveofpublichealth.

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Airmonitoringdatacollected,compiled,andvalidatedbytheTexasCommissionofEnvironmentalQuality(TCEQ) identifies the certified PM2.5 annual design value5 for 2010‐2012 for the HGB region as 12.1micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). Over the subsequent years, TCEQ closely monitored PM2.5concentrationsandfoundacontinuingdeclineinannualPM2.5averagesintheHGBarea(seetablebelow).OnJanuary15,2015,theEPApublisheddesignationsforthe2012primaryannualPM2.5NAAQS.TheHGBregionwasclassifiedas“unclassifiable/attainment.”PreliminaryAnnualPM2.5AveragesforClinton,AldineandBaytownRegulatoryMonitors6

EPApromulgatedfinalareadesignationsforthe2012PM2.5NAAQSonDecember18,2014.Airmonitoringdata can be retrieved from the TCEQ Texas Air Monitoring Information System (TAMIS) web:www17.tceq.texas.gov/tamis/.5A“designvalue”foranareaisastatisticthatiscomparedtotheNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards(NAAQS)todeterminetheattainmentstatusofthearea.AnareasvalueiscalculatedusinganarithmeticmeanoftheannualPM2.5averagesforthreeconsecutiveyearsateachregulatorymonitor.Ifanareahasmorethanoneregulatorymonitor,themonitorwiththehighestvaluesetsthedesignvalueforthearea(EPA,2014).6Allvalueswithinthischartarecertified.OnlythedatafromtheseregulatorymonitorswillbeusedbyEPAforattainmentdemonstrationpurposes.Source:TCEQ

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Annual Standard 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 12 12 12 12 12Clinton 15.9 16.0 15.6 14.0 12.6 12.3 12.2 11.8 11.0 11.3 11.1 9.3Aldine 13.8 12.8 13.0 11.8 11.6 11.9 11.5 11.2 11.0 10.1 9.4 8.4Baytown 12.9 10.2 11.0 10.9 10.9 10.8 11.9 10.6 9.4 9.3 8.4 7.3Galveston 99th St. 7.0 5.8 5.8Deer Park 2 8.9 8.5 7.8

5

7

9

11

13

15

17

Annu

al Average (μ

g/m

3 )

Pollutant PrimaryNAAQS AveragingPeriod DesignationParticulateMatter(PM10)

150µg/m3 24‐hour Attainment/Unclassifiable

ParticulateMatter(PM2.5)

12.0µg/m3(2012standard)

Annual(ArithmeticMean)

Attainment/Unclassifiable

15.0µg/m3(1997standard)

Annual(ArithmeticMean)

Attainment/Unclassifiable

35µg/m3 24‐hour Attainment/Unclassifiable

35µg/m3 24‐hour Attainment/Unclassifiable

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HGBMONITORINGNETWORKOver time, the monitoring system in the HGB region has expanded significantly. There six sites withregulatoryPM2.5monitorswithintheregion,11localconditions(acceptable)monitors,andmanymorenon‐regulatorymonitorsinourregion.TheCityofHouston,HarrisCounty,UniversityofHouston,TexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQuality(TCEQ),andHoustonRegionalMonitoringCorporation(HRM)andothers operate these monitors. Most of these monitoring stations measure the concentrations of thecriteria pollutants in the air, as well as air temperature, wind velocity, and other meteorologicalparameters. Some of the monitoring stations also measure the levels of an additional set of selectedchemicals,andsomemeasurepollenandmoldspores.

HOUSTON‐GALVESTON‐BRAZORIAREGIONPM2.5REGULATORYMONITORINGSITES

ThefollowingtableofmonitoringsitesliststhesixHGBPM2.5monitorsiteswhicharealsoclassifiedasFederalReferenceMethod(FRM)monitorsitesbytheEPA.PM2.5datafromtheHoustonAldine,Baytown,Clinton,Galveston,andDeerParkmonitorsdetermineHGBattainmentwiththePM2.5NAAQS.TheHoustonNorthLoopPM2.5monitor is shaded ingraybelowbecause itwasonlyaddedrecentlyandhasnotyetcollectedafullthreeyearsofPM2.5dataandthuscannotyetbeincludedintheattainmentdemonstration.

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These federal reference monitors utilize the appropriate sampling and analysis methods and qualityassurance/qualitycontrol(QA/QC)protocolsforuseindeterminingattainmentdemonstrationstatuswiththe fine particulate matter standard. Monitoring sites with FRM monitors are considered regulatorymonitors. There are numerous additional PM2.5 monitors within our region that are not consideredregulatorymonitors,butdatafromtheseothermonitoringsitesisusedbyTCEQtohelpunderstandairqualitydataandtrendsandhelppredictpossiblealerts.HGBRegionPM2.5RegulatoryMonitoringSites7

Region Name CAMSID Address AQSNumberSamplerType

OperationalDate

12 Baytown C0148 7210½BaywayDr,Baytown 482010058 PM2.5(FRM) 1/6/1999

12 Clinton C0403 9525ClintonDr,Houston 482011035PM2.5(FRM&co‐located)

1/1/1999&4/6/1999

12 HoustonAldine C00084510½AldineMail

Rd,Houston 482010024 PM2.5(FRM) 8/14/2000

12 Galveston99thStreet C10349511AvenueV½,GalvestonAirport,

Galveston481671034 PM2.5(FRM) 5/1/2013

12 HoustonDeerPark2 C00354514½DurantSt,

DeerPark 482011039PM2.5(FRM&

FEM) 8/10/2013

12 HoustonNorthLoop C1052822NorthLoop,

Houston 482011052 PM2.5(FRM) 4/13/2015Monitoringrayhasbecomeoperationalwithinthelastthreeyears.Assuch,thismonitorcannotyetbeusedtodetermineattainment.ToviewthedatafromallcontinuousTCEQmonitors,pleasefollowthislink:www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/sites/mon_sites.html.PleasebeawarethatthePM2.5monitorsattheHoustonNorthLoopsiteisanon‐continuousmonitor.DatafromthismonitorismadeavailablebyTCEQquarterlyafterresultshavebeenmanuallycollectedandanalyzedinthelaboratory.HGBPM2.5INVENTORYThefollowingPM2.5inventoryisbasedonTCEQ’sadjusted2014NationalEmissionsInventory(NEI)data.TheNEIisacomprehensive,detailedestimateofcriteriaandhazardousairemissionssources.TheNEIisprepared every three years by the EPAbased primarily upon emission estimates and emissionmodelinputsprovidedbyState,Local,andTribalairagenciesforsourcesintheirjurisdictions,andsupplementedbydatadevelopedbyEPA.The2014NEIwasbuiltfromemissionsdataintheEmissionsInventorySystem(EIS).The2014versionoftheNEIisthemostcurrenteditionavailable.Publicationofthe2017inventoryisexpectedinlate‐2019. 7TheHoustonNorthLoopPM2.5monitorwasaddedin2015andhasnotyetcollectedafulldatasetforinclusioninthisreport.

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TCEQPM2.5InventoryforHGB8

Thesedataaresplitintofouremissioncategories:point,on‐roadmobile,non‐roadmobileandarea(non‐point)sources.Pointsourcesareindividuallyinventoriedandusuallylocatedatafixed,stationarylocation(heaters,boilerandcoolingwatertowersatlargeindustrialfacilities),althoughportablesourcesarealsoincluded(somerockcrushingoperations).On‐roadmobilesourcesincludeemissionsfromvehiclesfoundonroadsandhighways(cars,trucks,andbuses);whilenon‐roadmobilesourcesincludemobilesourcesnotfoundonroadsandhighways(lawnmowers,constructionvehicles,farmmachinery,rail,airplanes,andcommercial marine vessels). Area (non‐point) sources include those sources that are inventoriedcollectivelybecause theyare too small inmagnitudeor toonumerous to inventoryas individualpointsources, and which can often be estimated more accurately as a single aggregate source (residentialheating,leafblowers,andunpavedroads).TheestimatedemissionvaluesforTCEQnon‐pointsourcesinthechartbelowaretakenfromtheTexasAirEmissionsRepository(TexAER).TCEQPM2.5InventoryforHGB(tonsperyear)9

PointSource On‐RoadMobile Non‐RoadMobile AreaSourceBrazoria 1,262.53 72.71 133.78 4,357.80Chambers 336.30 65.84 25.68 1,024.44FortBend 1,640.62 119.80 156.64 3,222.63Galveston 1,057.68 62.96 298.78 1,455.90Harris 4,041.63 1,230.24 1,199.67 10,675.29Liberty 5.56 41.62 59.63 2,599.84Montgomery 85.95 146.40 124.62 6,330.31Waller 7.00 30.72 28.10 1,543.45Total 8,437.27 1,770.29 2,026.90 31,209.66

8TCEQ’sadjusted2014NEIdatafollowsthesamequalityassuranceandqualitycontrolprocessasdataintheReasonableFurtherProgress(RFP)andAttainmentDemonstration(AD)StateImplementationPlan(SIP).9Alldataissubjecttorevisionsorupdates.

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HARRISCOUNTYPM2.5INVENTORYSUMMARYHoustonAdvancedResearchCenter(HARC),inpartnershipwithHarrisCounty,spearheadedanefforttofurther investigatesourcesofPM2.5withinHarrisCounty: theHarrisCountyPM2.5EmissionsInventoryproject.Atthetimeofthecreationofthisinventory,ambientairqualitymonitoringdataindicatedthattheHoustonarea(andinparticulartheClintonDrivePM2.5monitor)measuredatneartheleveloftheannualaveragePM2.5NAAQS.ThisprojectwasfundedbyaCoastalImprovementAssistanceProgram(CIAP)grant,administeredbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeServicethroughHarrisCounty.TheaimofthisportionofthegrantwastoreviewthePM2.5 inventories developed by TCEQ and EPA forHarris County,make adjustmentswhen technicallyjustified,andprovidealistofpotentialcontrols,includingtheirefficienciesandcoststhatmightbeusedtoreducePM2.5emissionsbasedontherevisedinventory.Thisinventorysummaryisbrokendownintothreecategoriesofemissions:point,mobileandareasourcesusingNEI inventorydefinitions.This inventory summary identifiesunpavedroadsas thepredominantsourceofPM2.5withinHarrisCounty.2011HarrisCountyAnnualPM2.5Emissions

Sincethecreationofthisinventory,PM2.5monitorswithintheHoustonregionhaveshownsignificantreductionsofapproximately25%ormore.Itisanticipatedthatfutureversionsofthisinventorywillshowasimilarmagnitudeofreduction.

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PASTANDPRESENTINITIATIVESAIRQUALITYPROGRAMSATH‐GACH‐GAChas partneredwith local and regional government agencies, citizen and environmental groups,business and industry‐based organizations and other stakeholders to proactively pursue air qualityimprovements within our region. Currently, more than 12 major emission reduction programs areunderwayatH‐GACduetotheregion’sozonenon‐attainmentstatus.Theseprogramshavemulti‐pollutantbenefitsand,despite theirmain focusonreducingground‐levelozone,haveproducedsignificantPM2.5reductionsinthepast.In2016alone,theseprogramsresultedinmorethan10tonsofPM2.5reductionswithintheregion.2016CurrentControlProgramsReductions(tonsperyear‐tpy)10Measure

PM2.5 NOx VOC(tpy) (tpy) (tpy)

CleanVehiclesProgram Non‐DrayageProjects 64.87

DrayageTrucks 6.10 97.73 5.39RegionalTexasEmissionReductionPlan(TERP)

DrayageTrucks 3.47 38.07 1.84LocalGovernmentProjects 20.81

CleanVesselsforTexasWaters 0.50 7.46 0.53CleanSchoolBusProgram 20.52 CommuteSolutions(CleanAirChampions,RidematchandTelework) 0.07 3.89 2.87

CommuteSolutions:METROStarVanpool 0.18 13.13 0.04CommuteSolutions:CommuterandTransitPilotProjects 0.01 0.85 0.04

Totals 10.33 267.33 10.71CLEANVEHICLES&CLEANSCHOOLBUSPROGRAMSSince1995,theCleanVehiclesProgramhasprovidedgrantassistancetoreplaceolderdieselenginesinbothpublicandprivatefleetswithintheHGBregion.Thisfuelneutralprogramisdesignedtoreduceon‐roadvehicleemissionsbyrapidturnovertonewerloweremittingengines,retrofitofexistingengineswithapproveddevices,or introducenew loweremission technologies. In2015, theCleanVehiclesProgramreducedover6tonsofPM2.5emissions.The Clean School Bus program serves the following counties: Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers,Colorado,FortBend,Galveston,Hardin,Harris,Houston,Jasper,Jefferson,Liberty,Matagorda,Montgomery,Nacogdoches,Newton,Orange,Polk,Sabine,SanAugustine,SanJacinto,Trinity,Tyler,Walker,Waller,and102014AirQualityProgramemissionreductionscalculatedusingEPAMOVES2014aemissionfactors.

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Wharton.Thegoaloftheprogramistoreducechildren’sexposuretodieselexhaustandreducetheamountofairpollutioncreatedbydieselschoolbuses.CLEANVESSELSFORTEXASWATERSIn2011,EPAawardedH‐GACalmost$1milliontorepower3high‐emittingtugvesselswith8new,cleanerengines. The repowered vessels mainly operate in the HGB non‐attainment area—docking ships andfuelingmarine vessels. The project has already completed the replacement of 8 engines, and reducesapproximatelyhalfatonofPM2.5emissionsannually.COMMUTESOLUTIONS:CLEANAIRCHAMPIONSTheCleanAirChampionprogram isanoutreachprogramdesigned topartnerwith localemployers toimplementalternativecommutingandcleanfleetpolicies.OrganizationsthatmeettherequirementsoftheCleanAirChampionprogramearnthedistinctionofbeingrecognizedasaregionalleaderofemployeebenefits offerings—a designation that gives them a competitive advantage in recruiting the best andbrightestemployees.COMMUTESOLUTIONS:RIDEMATCHTheH‐GACridesharingprogramrewardsHouston‐areacommutersfortripsinwhichtheychoosetowalk,bike,telecommute,carpool,vanpool,taketransit,orworkacompressedweek.Todatethisprogramhasregisteredmorethan30,000usersandresultedinnearly12.5millionVMTreducedin2016alone.COMMUTESOLUTIONS:TELEWORKThe Telework Program helps regional employers and employees by educating about the benefits ofteleworkingandoffering financial incentivestodevelopand implement teleworkaswellasalternativeworkscheduleprograms.2016participantsinthisprogramresultedinreducingmorethan3millionVMTduringtheyear.COMMUTESOLUTIONS:METROSTARVANPOOLPROGRAMSTAR,theregionalvanpoolandrideshareprogramprovidedbyMETROisoneofthelargestprogramsofitskindinthenation.Theprogramprovidesa7‐to15‐passengervanalongwithinsurance,maintenance,roadsideassistanceandadministrativecoordination.Average faresareabout$135permonth,andtheaverageround‐triptraveledis58miles.Additionally,programparticipantsbenefitfromacapitalsubsidy11towardthecostofthevehicletohelpoffsetvanpoolcosts.Volunteerswithinthevanpoolgroupsdothedriving.Forthelastfiscalyear,therewasanaverageof650vanpoolsinoperationwithmorethan6,500ridersintheregion.Thisprogramreducednearly55millionVMTin2016.

11Averagecapitalsubsidyfor2016was$420pervanpermonth.

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COMMUTESOLUTIONS:PILOTPROJECTSAtotalof13pilotprojectshavebeenimplementedintheHGBregionusingacombinationoffederalfundsandlocalmatchingfunds.Theresultingnewtransitservicehasresultedinreducingover43millionVMTsincetheseprojectsbeganandmorethan3.5millionin2016.ENERGYCORRIDORDISTRICT’SCARSHAREPROGRAMTheEnergyCorridorinpartnershipwithEnterpriseHoldingsprovidescommutersaccesstovehiclesondaystheyuseacommutealternative.CarSharevehiclesareavailableforhourlyrentalattwodifferentsitesforpersonalorworkerrandsthroughouttheday,withfuel,physicaldamage/liabilityprotection,vehiclemaintenance, and 24/7 roadside and member assistance included. This program assists in makingalternativemodeusemoreattractivetousers.DRAYAGELOANPROGRAMSince2010,theH‐GACDrayageLoanProgramhasofferedindependentowneroperatorand/ortruckingcompaniesservicingHGBportstheopportunitytoapplyforfinancingtosupportthepurchaseofcleaner,saferandmorefuel‐efficientdrayagetrucks.Almost900tonsofNOxreductionsand14tonsofPMemissionreductions are anticipated over the life of the program. This program has been a collaborative effortbetweenH‐GAC,EnvironmentalDefenseFund,andPortHouston.PEDESTRIAN&BICYCLISTPROGRAMInHouston,1%to3%oftripsaremadebybikingorwalkingresultinginareductionofbetween40,000and120,000tripsperdaywithintheregion.ThisisequivalenttoadailyVMTreductionofbetween60,000and 175,000miles. Additionally, according to a frequency distribution analysis of trips by trip length(preparedbytheTexasTransportationInstitute12),therearenearly4milliontripsperdaythataretwomilesorlessinlengthforhome‐basedwork,homebasednon‐work,andnon‐homebasednon‐worktrips.Tothisend,thereisavibrantmovewithintheregiontowardmorebicycleuse.TheCityofHoustonoffersapproximately270ofhigh‐comfortbicyclefacilities,andadoptedanewBicyclePlaninMarch2017.Thenetworkincludesbikelanes,bikeroutes,signed‐sharedlanesandshared‐usepaths,commonlyreferredtoas‘hikeandbike’trails,whichincludesrailstotrails,andotherurbanmulti‐usepaths.Inadditiontothesebicyclisttransportationfacilities,therearenearly130milesofhikeandbikeandnaturetrailsfoundinCityofHoustonparks.Inaddition,HarrisCountyandmanymunicipalutilitydistrictshaveconstructedmorethan160milesofbikewayswithintheCitylimits.Thesefacilitiesandmodeshiftstowalkingandbikinghaveresultedinrealandtangibleannualpollutantreductionswithintheregion.Thishasresultedinreducing11.6tonsofVOCs,12.6tonsofNOx,0.33tonsofPM2.5,and9,550tonsofCO2annually.

12 TTIanalysisofthe2009HoustonHouseholdTravelSurveytransmittedbyH‐GACon1/24/12 

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VOLUNTARYIDLINGREDUCTIONPROGRAMIn2012,inpartnershipwithlocalgovernments,citizenandenvironmentalgroups,businessandindustry‐basedorganizationsandotherstakeholdersH‐GACdevelopedavoluntaryidlingreductionprogramandadoptedavoluntarydiesel idling reductionpolicy.Thisanti‐idlingpolicyaims to lowernitrogenoxide(NOx)andotheremissionsbyplacingafive‐minuteidlelimitonmotorvehicles.Alongwithpromotingthisvoluntarypolicyregion‐wide,H‐GACprovidesidlingreductionbumperstickersandsignswithinourregionfreeofcharge.PortHoustonhasbeenamajorpartnerindevelopingandsupportingthisprogram,postingmanyidlereductionsignsattheTurningBasinterminalwithinthePort.Thefollowingorganizationswithinthe8‐countynonattainmentregionhaveanti‐idlingpoliciesinplace:AlainGarciaIndependent

TruckingAliefISDAlvinISDAngletonISDAT&TBarbersHillISDBrazosportISD

TransportationServicesCityofGalenaParkCityofHoustonCityofHoustonClearCreekISDColumbia‐BrazoriaISDConroeISDTransportation

DepartmentCypress‐FairbanksISD

TransportationDepartment

DamonISD

DanburyISDDavenportTransportation&

RiggingDickinsonISDFastTracTransportationFortBendISDFriendswoodISDGalenaParkISDGalvestonISDGooseCreekConsolidatedISDHarrisCountyHighIslandISDHoustonAstrosHoustonBiodieselHoustonISDHuffmanISDHumbleISDJacintoCityJoseAlfaroIndependentTrucking

KleinISDMagnoliaISDLibertyISDMuseumParkSuperNeighborhoodNorthForestISDOurLadyQueenofPeaceCatholicSchoolPasadenaISDPearlandISDSantaFeISDSheldonISDSpringISDSweenyISDTexasCityISDTomballISDTxDOTUPSWallerISDWestsideHighSchool,HISD

REGIONALTCEQTEXASEMISSIONREDUCTIONPLAN(TERP)The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) regional Texas Emission Reduction Plan(TERP)program‐establishedbythe77thTexasLegislaturein2001,throughenactmentofSenateBill(SB)5‐hasbeenanimportantvoluntaryprojectinTexas.TCEQprovidesTERPfundingforemissionreductionprojects to participants in Texas. These projects include a number of voluntary financial incentiveprograms(includingEmissionReductionandIncentiveGrants,RebateGrants,Third‐PartyandAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentActRebateGrants,aswellasotherassistanceprograms),tohelpimprovetheairquality inTexas.Between2008and2013TCEQregionalTERPhas fundedmorethan3,200vehiclereplacementstotalingmorethan$160milliondollars.Duringthe84thSessionoftheTexasLegislaturein2015,theTERPprogramwasextendedforanadditionaltwoyearswitha50%increaseinfunding.TheseTERPgrantsareestimatedtoreducebetween65and275tonsofPMemissionsperyear13.13ENVIRON2014

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REGIONALTEXASEMISSIONREDUCTIONPLAN(TERP)ThefirstH‐GACRegionalTERPprogramhasprovidedmorethan$3millioningrantfunds,resultinginmore than 405 tons ofNOx emission reductions fromon‐road vehicles and off road equipment (LocalGovernmentandDrayageLoanTrucks).PMreductionswerenotenumerated,butareestimatedtobeintherangeof10to40tons.ThesecondH‐GACRegionalTERPprogram,whichwasopentoLocalGovernments,provided$78,015grantfundstolocalfleetsforaNOxemissionreductionof7.8tonsfromoffroadequipment.Again,PMreductionswerenotenumeratedbutestimatedtobeatleast0.2to0.7tons.CLEANAIREDUCATIONAIRQUALITYFORECASTANDPMACTIONDAYE‐MAILALERTSYSTEM.TCEQprovidesfreee‐mailalertsfortheToday'sTexasAirQualityForecastandPMActionDaysforseveralmetropolitanareasthroughoutTexas,includingtheHoustonarea.TheTCEQinformsthepublictypicallyadayinadvancewhenconditionsareforecasttobefavorableforhighPMlevelsinanyoftheparticipatingareasDRIVE CLEAN ACROSS TEXAS is the nation's first statewide public outreach and education campaigndesignedtoraiseawarenessandchangeattitudesaboutairpollution.OZONEVIEWERMOBILEAPP.TheHoustonCleanAirNetwork(HoustonCAN)isacoalitionofcleanairadvocates and health, science and environmental professionals representing businesses, governmentagencies,schools,communitygroupsandthegeneralpublic.TheHoustonCAN inpartnershipwithAirAllianceHouston,AmericanLungAssociationandothers‐hasdevelopedanOzoneViewerMobileApptohelpincreaseeducationandawarenesssurroundingairqualityinourarea.Thisappcanbeviewedonlineat:houstoncleanairnetwork.com.AIRQUALITYREFERENCEGUIDE.TheAirQualityReferenceGuideprovidesuptodateinformationaboutairpollutionintheHouston‐Galvestonregion.DUSTSUPPRESSIONPROJECTSINTHECLINTONDRIVEAREATCEQ,EPARegion6,theCityofHouston,HarrisCountyPrecinct2,PortHouston,PortTerminalRailroadAssociation (PTRA) and local industry have partnered to address PM2.5 sources and implement dustsuppressionstrategiestoreducePM2.5emissionsneartheClintonDrivearea.TCEQ approved a supplemental environmental project (SEP) to pavetheparking lot directly adjacenttotheClintonDrivemonitoringstation.ThepavingwascompletedinSummer2009.The City of Houston has installed barriers to keep trucks from driving ontotheunpaved shoulder.Additionally,atrafficlightwasinstalledatClintonDriveandIndustrialParkEasttocontroltraffic.Sinceimplementation, thesedustsuppressionprojectshaveprovenPM2.5reductionbenefits(notsolelyPM10benefits).SpeciationdatafromtheClintonDrivemonitorshowdecreasesindustandsoilfollowingtheimplementationofdustsuppressionmeasures.

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PortHoustonhasestablishedaprogramtoregularlyapplyemulsifiedasphalttoreducedustemissionsatIndustrialParkEast(IPE)attheTurningBasinTerminal(since2007).PortHoustonhasalsopaved18acresof landand6,658feetof the6,783feetofroadwayat IPE.Since2008,PortHoustonhassprayedapproximately48acreswithemulsifiedasphalt.Additionally,DuPont,aprevioustenant,nolongerstoresbulkfluorsparatIPE.WhilemostoftheroadatIPEarenowpaved,thetenants’propertiesatIPEarestillunpaved.Althoughtheyaresprayedwithemulsifiedasphalt,standingwaterafteraheavyraincanstillcausedirttobetrackedoutonthepavedroads.Tohelpwiththis,PortHoustonisnowimprovingtheIPEstormwaterdrainageinfrastructure.InthewesternpartoftheTurningBasinTerminal,PortHoustonhasalsoreconstructedtheHighLevelRoadatTurningBasin,whichaddedcapacityfromtwolanestofourlanesfromthemainentrygateoffofI‐610tothePortCoordinationCenter.BeforethereconstructionofHighLevelRoad,truckswouldpassothertrucksthatwerestoppedtomakeaturnbytravelinginthedirtshoulderwhichwouldcreatedust.Thewideningoftheroadto2laneseachdirectioneliminatesthispracticeandhasreduceddustcreatedfromshoulders.Furthermore,thePortoperatessweepers(about1,600hoursayear)onHighLevelRoadandhavebeenworkingwithourtenantstoeliminatethedirtthatistrackedoutfromtheirleasedyardsontoHighLevelRoad.Inaddition,industryhasundertakendustsuppressioneffortsnearthePort.ThePTRAhasstoppedsteelloadingactivitiesonadirtareatothesouthoftheClintonDrivemonitortoreducedust.ValeroAsphaltpaveditslargelandleaseslocatedacrossClintonDrivetothesoutheastoftheClintonmonitor.CITYOFHOUSTONRENEWABLEENERGYTheCityisthelargestmunicipalpurchaserofgreenpowerinthenationwithmorethan89percentoftheCity’senergysupplycomingfromeitherwindorsolarsources.In2017,theCityexpandeditsportfoliowiththeadditionofa50MWsolarpowerpurchaseagreementwhichallows100%solarpowerbeusedatCityfacilitiessuchastheHoustonZoo,theBobLanierPublicWorksBuilding,passengerterminalsatIAH,andwastewatertreatmentplants.GREENBUILDINGSANDENERGYEFFICIENCYForCitybuildings,thereisanaggressiveprograminplacetoimproveenergyefficiency.Sofar,6millionsquarefeetofcityfacilitieshavebeenretrofittedandarereducingenergyusageby30percenteachyear.By2020, theCityhasalsocommittedto improvingenergyefficiencyby20percentatanadditional30millionsquarefeetof facilities.TheCityhasalsoadoptedanaggressivestanceonthecreationofLEEDcertifiedbuildings targetingSilvercertification forallnewconstruction.So far, thishasresulted in thecompletionof23LEEDcertifiedprojectswithanotherninecurrentlybeingplanned.

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GreenFleetsThroughtheCity’sHoustonDrivesElectricprogram,Houstonhasbecomealeaderingovernmentelectricvehicle(EV)fleets.Throughthisprogram,theCityhasrecentlyadded27NissanLeafstoitsvehiclefleetforatotalof42electricandplug‐inhybridfleetvehicles.Inadditiontothepurchaseofthesemoreefficientvehicles,theCityhascreatedtheHoustonFleetShareprogramtoserveasacentral,sharedmotorpool.Thishasresultedina50%increaseinvehicleutilizationwithmoreneedsmetusingfewervehicles.Asaresult,44olderandlessefficientvehicleshavebeensoldand84othershavebeenreassigned.ParticipationinDepartmentofEnergy’s(DOE)EVProject,withpartnerEcotality,added77additionalBlinkcharging stations inHouston, including24 at the airports and29 in downtownHouston.Through thisprogramparticipants,includingtheCityofHoustonandotherbusinesses,receivedchargingstationsatnocost and an additional credit to install the charging station. In addition, the City has offers 24‐hourpermittingforresidentialchargingstationsandisworkingonadditionalincentivestospurtheadoptionofEVtechnology.ANTI‐IDLINGPOLICIESTheCityenactedananti‐idlingordinanceforallmotorvehiclesover14,000poundsoperatedwithinthecitylimitsofHoustonandisactivelyenforcingthisordinanceat1‐2facilitieswithfleets,inresponsetocitizen’scomplaintsregardingfacilitieswithidlingdeliverytrucks.HOUSTONAIRPORTSYSTEMEMISSIONSREDUCTIONSTo reduce emissions from flights, winglets are being utilized to reduce fuel consumption by 6%.Improvementstoairfieldrunways,taxiways,andgates/rampreducedaircrafttaxiandidletimeswhichresulted in both fuel consumption and associated emissions reductions and improved air quality.Additionally,theuseofauxiliarypowerunits(APUs).APUsaresmallon‐boardturbinesthatareoperatedtoprovideelectricalpowerandairconditioningtoanaircraftwhenit isparkedatagateandthemainenginesareshutdown.InstallationofgateelectrificationequipmentenablesparkedaircrafttoforegotheuseofAPUswhichresultsinareductioninbothjet‐fuelconsumptionandassociatedemissions.Intotal,emissionreductionsfromgroundserviceequipmenthaveresultedina75%NOxreductionequalto1.150tonsperday.AtHoustonGeorgeBushIntercontinentalAirport,rentalcarcompaniesformerlyoperatedoutofseparatefacilities locatedbothonandoff airportproperty.HoustonAirportSystemconstructedaConsolidatedRentalCarFacilityonairportpropertysouthoftheterminalareawhichsignificantlyreducedthemixofnumbers,types,andagesoftheexistingbusesoperatedbythevariousrentalcarcompanies.Thisresultedinareductioninbothdieselfuelconsumptionandassociatedemissions.AsimilarfacilityisbeingplannedforWilliamP.Hobbyairport.In2014,theIAH’sRentalCarBusFleetwasreplacedwithcleanburningdieselengines,whichresultedinPM2.5andotheremissionsreductions.

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BIKESHAREPROGRAMIn2015theCityofHoustonwasawardedafederalgranttoexpandHoustonBCycle.ThisfundingwillmorethantriplethesizeofbikeshareinHoustonoverthenexttwoyearsbyadding71stations,568bikesand2transportvehiclestotheexistingbikesharenetwork.ThenetworkwillbeexpandedtoincludetheTexasMedicalCenter,RiceUniversity,UniversityofHouston,TexasSouthernUniversity,NearNorthsideandothersurroundingneighborhoods.METALRECYCLERSTASKFORCE(MAPPS)TheCitycontinuestocollaboratewithresearchersfromtheUniversityofTexasHealthScienceCenteratHoustonSchoolofPublicHealth(whoareinthelead)andRiceUniversity,areametalrecyclingfacilities,communitymembers,andAirAllianceHoustoninaprojecttostudyandaddresspotentialhealthrisksassociatedwithairemissionsfrommetalrecyclingfacilitiesinHouston.Thisisathree‐phaseproject.Phase1iscurrentlybeingcompletedandconsistsofcollaboratorsworkingtoconductoutdoorairmonitoring,determinehealthrisksanddescriberesidents’environmentalhealthconcerns.Phase2oftheprojectconsistsofdevelopmentandapplicationofaPublicHealthActionPlantorecommendbestemissions‐mitigating‐practicesandeducatethecommunity,metalrecyclersandpolicymakersaboutenvironmentalhealth.Phase3oftheprojectconsistsoffollowupactivitiestoevaluatetheeffectivenessofthePublicHealthActionPlan.SAFEPASSAGEORDINANCEANDCOMPLETESTREETSPOLICYTheCityapprovedaSafePassageordinanceinMay2013tokeepbicyclistsandpedestrianssaferoncitystreets and encourage more outdoor activity. In November 2013, Mayor Parker signed the CompleteStreetsExecutiveOrder,whichunveiledatransformativenewpolicyforHoustonstreetstoaccommodatetheneedsofallusers,notjustthosebehindthewheel.TheCompleteStreetsandTransportationPlanismeant to provide safe, accessible and convenient use by motorists, public transit riders, pedestrians,bicyclists, andpeopleof all agesandabilities. In2014, theCityandBikeHoustoncreatedabike safetycampaign, Goal Zero, to enforce and educatemotorists and cyclists about the Safe PassageOrdinance.HoustonCityCounciladoptedtheHoustonBikePlaninMarch2017.AkeygoaloftheBikePlanistoprovidea safer bicycle network for people of all ages and abilities through improved facilities, education, andenforcement.VOLUNTARYENVIRONMENTALCOMPLIANCEAGREEMENTSTheCityandindustrialbusinesseshavevoluntarilyimplementedenvironmentalcomplianceagreementsthat help reduce emissions.By these agreements businesses have modified operational controlsminimizingparticulateandvisibleemissions,suchasfrompaintingandabrasiveblastingoperationsintheshipchannelarea.

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CONCRETEBATCHPLANTSThereareapproximately180concretebatchplantsintheHoustonarea–twiceasmanyasDallasandthemostofanyareainTexas.Aconcretebatchplantisafacilitythatproducesconcrete.Thesefacilitiesmixcement,sand,andwatertomakeconcreteandloaditintotrucksfordelivery.Ifnotproperlycontrolled,theseoperationscanexposeresidentstolargeamountsofparticulatematter(finedust).Particulatematterisadangerousandwidespreadairpollutantthatisassociatedwithcausingcardiovascularandrespiratoryharm,cancer,andprematuredeath.14Particulatematterproducedduringconcretebatchplantoperationsmaycontaincrystallinesilicaandmetals.15Lastyear, theCityofHoustonconductedaninvestigationofthirty‐fiveconcretebatchplantsanddiscoveredoverfortyviolationsincludingbutnotlimitedto,thelackofuseofadequatedustcontrolsandvisibleemissionsleavingpropertylinesamongthemostfrequent.Giventheincreasingnumberofconcretebatchplantsinourregion,effortsshouldbemadetocollaboratewith the cement industry to ensure best practices are implemented to protect the public health ofcommunities.HARRISCOUNTYENHANCEDENFORCEMENTPROGRAMFORSMOKINGVEHICLESTheHarrisCountySheriff’sDepartment,thePrecinct4Constable’sOffice,andthePrecinct5Constable’sOfficehaveimplementedanemissionsenforcementprogramtoensurethatallvehiclesonourroadsareincompliancewithairqualitystandards.ThisenforcementprogramisconductedincollaborationwiththeHarris CountyDistrict Attorney’s office, theHarris County Judge’s office, theHarris CountyAttorney’soffice,theTexasDepartmentofPublicSafety,andtheHouston‐GalvestonAreaCouncil.Lawenforcementpersonneltargethighemittingvehicles,smokingvehicles,andsuspiciousvehiclestoverifythatthestateinspectioncertificatesattachedtothesevehiclesarelegitimate.METROPOLITANTRANSITAUTHORITYOFHARRISCOUNTYLIGHTRAILEXPANSION&NEWBUSNETWORKTheMetropolitanTransitAuthority ofHarris County (METRO) operates 3 light rail lines, 77 local busroutes(includingtwofreedowntowncirculators),and31Park&Ridecommuterbusroutesaspartofitsfixed‐route system. The original 7.5‐mile Red Line light rail opened in January 2004. But the recentadditionsoftheNorthLinelightrailextensioninMayof2014andtheopeningoftheGreenandPurpleLines inMay 2015 have increased the light rail system’s totalmileage to 22.5miles. These openingscontributedtoannualboardingsonMETRORail increasing64%fromFY2013toFY2016. Additionally,METROimplementedacompleteoverhaulofthelocalbusnetwork(termed“NewBusNetwork”)inAugust2015tocurtaildecliningridershipandimproveservicebymovingtoafrequency‐basednetwork.BythecloseofFY2016,localbusridershipincreased2%overFY2015.

14U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,IntegratedScienceAssessmentforParticulateMatter,December2009.EPA600/R‐08/139F15https://www3.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/ch11/final/c11s12.pdf

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BUSFLEETAsofSeptember30,2016,METROoperatedafleetof1,239busesdevotedtofixed‐routeservice,whichhandled67.1millionboardingsinFiscalYear2016.16Thefleetincludes437cleanrunning,diesel‐electrichybridtechnologybuses(37%ofthefleet)andanadditional50compressednaturalgas(CNG)buses(4%ofthefleet),bothofwhichcontributetoPMreductionsfortheHGBregion.METROBIKESONBUSESThereareagrowingnumberofbicycleandpedestrianpathsandwalkwaysandaconcentratedefforttoconnectthesewalkwayswithactivitycentersandtransitnodes.AllMETRObusesareequippedwithbikeracks,withtheexceptionofparkandridebuses(whichhavecargoareasforbikestorage).METRO’sannualbikeboardingscontinuetoincreasefrom2011through2016.InMETRO’sFY2013,therewere167,421bike boardings thatwere recorded and in FY2014 that number increasedby50% to 251,072 andbyanother4.6%inFY2016,totaling262,649bikeboardings.17PORTHOUSTONBAYPORTEXPANSIONANDINCREASEDEFFICIENCYPort Houston was awarded a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery(TIGER)grantin2013tobeusedtowardtheexpansionoftheberthatitsBayportContainerTerminal.ThegrantisfundingtheextensionofBayport'swharfandthepurchaseofthreenewall‐electric,rail‐mountedgantrycranestohandlethe increase incontainerthroughput.TheprojectwillallowBayport tohandlemorethan2million20‐foot‐equivalentunits(TEUs),doublingitspresentcapacity,andwillhelpsupportinternationaltradewithmorethan1,000portsinmorethan200countries.Increasedproductivityasaresultoftheexpansionisprojectedtoreducetruckwaitingandidlingtimesbyanestimated7.6minutesonaverage.CLEANER,MORE‐EFFICIENTLYOPERATINGCRANESPortofHoustonrecentlyreplacedten(10)Tier‐2755‐horsepowerrubber‐tiregantrycranes(RTGs)atBarboursCutwitheight(8)newerTier‐3665‐horsepowerRTGs.TheseRTGswilloperateapproximately2,500hoursayearandwillbeabletohandlethesameamountofcargoplusadditionalcargoastheeightretiredcranesbecausetheoldercranesaveragedabout4movesanhourwhilethenewcranesaverageabout 12 to 15moves per hour. The increased efficiency associatedwith these cleaner, faster cranesreducesthetruckidlingandassociatedemissionsatthePort.LYNXANDCONTAINERTRACKINGMOBILEAPPPort Houston’s online information system that tracks vessel arrivals and container movements at itsBarbours Cut andBayport terminals is called Lynx. The Port has recently expanded access to Lynx totrucking companies and cargo owners so that container availability can be tracked and the truckingcompanycanbeautomaticallynotifiedwhenacontainerisreadyforpickup. Additionally,thePorthas16METRO’sFiscalYear2016isOctober1,2015throughSeptember30,201617MetroBikeBoardingRunningCountFY2011–FY2016

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developedamobileappthatallowsdriverstocheckonthestatusofacontaineranditspickupavailability.Information on how to access Lynx online and how to access the mobile app can found at:http://porthouston.com/portweb/terminal‐toolbox/container‐terminals/access‐to‐shipping‐information/.Theexpandedaccess toPortHoustoncontainerstatusat itscontainer terminals throughLynxandthemobileappreducesunwarrantedtrucktripstotheterminalsandthereforeresultsinlesscriteriapollutantemissions.BAYPORTTERMINALOPERATIONALIMPROVEMENTSThestopsignatthetruckexitattheBayportContainerTerminalhasbeenremovedandPortRoadhasbeenrestripedtoallowtwo lanesof trucktraffic toexitwithoutstopping.Thiseliminates idling foralltrucksexitingBayportpluseliminatesasourceofcongestionduringpeaktimes.GATEAUTOMATIONPortHoustonhasimplementedanautomatedgatesystemwithopticalcharacterrecognition(OCR)portaltoautomateequipmentidentification,trafficprocessinganddamageinspectionimagingattheentrygateof the Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals. The system automatically identifies containers,chassis, and licenseplates associatedwith the equipment. Since implementation, gateOCR installationenabled Port Houston to process trucks twice as fast and reduced idling time by 48%, dramaticallyreducingemissions.PARTNERSHIPSAspartofPortHouston’seffortstoexchangeolderengineswithcleanerburningtechnologies,thePort‐created public/private partnerships with tenants and stakeholders to implement emission reductionstrategiesandpolicies.PortHoustonhasestablishedaproventrack‐recordinsecuringstateandfederalgrantsforemissionreductionbenefitsforPortandPorttenantandstakeholderenginesandequipment.Through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)/Diesel Emission Reduction Act(DERA),thePortandsixtenant/stakeholderpartnersused$2.8millioningrantfundsforthereplacement,repowerandretrofitof115dieselenginesusedinportactivitywhichwillresultinlifetimereduction6tonsofPM2.5.Furthermore,thePortprovided$50,000inmatchingdollarsasleveragefora$9millionEPASmartWaygranttofundtherevolvingDrayageLoanProgramIn2010thePortwasalsoawardedaDERAgrantof$1.5milliontocovertheincrementalcostsassociatedwithfuelswitchingactivitiesforallMaerskvesselscallingatthePort’scontainerterminalspriortotheEPA’smandatedNorthAmericaEmissionControlArea implementation in2012.Thefleetof26vesselsperformed163vesselcallsandfuelswitcheswhichresultedinadecreaseinemissionsof32tonsofPM2.5.Inearly2015,thePortwasawardedalmost$1.8milliondollarsfortwodifferentDERAgrantsthatwillbeusedtoreplaceolderdrayagetrucks.ThefundsfromonegrantarepassedthroughtoH‐GACtofundanexpansiontoitsHouston‐GalvestonDrayageTruckProgram.Thisgrantisexpectedtoreplace14olderon‐roaddrayagetruckswithnewer2010modelyearcompliantdrayagetrucksandisexpectedtoreduce2.5

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tonsofPM2.5overthelifetimeofthetrucks.Thefundsfromthesecondgrantarepassedthroughtotwo(2)ofPortHouston’stenantsandwillreplace25olderdrayagetrucks(13on‐roadtrucksusedonlyonPortHoustonturningbasinterminaland12on‐roadterminaltractorsusedtopickupcontainersattheBayportandBarboursCutterminals)withneweron‐roadterminaltractorswith2010modelyearcomplianton‐roadengines.Thisgrantisexpectedtoreduce5.03tonsofPM2.5overthelifeofthetrucks.Regional partners, including the Port, planned to apply for additional DERA funding during the 2016fundingopportunityhoweverwereunabletofinalizeasubmittingduringthisyear.However,thePorthasappliedforDERAfundingin2017forPortownedworktrucksandbuses.ItisexpectedthattheseprojectswillresultinfurtherPM2.5reductionswithintheregion.TEXASDEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONTheTexasDepartmentofTransportation(TxDOT)hasbeenworkingtoreducebothNOxandPM2.5throughavarietyofdifferentstrategies.TxDOThasencouragedcontractorsinbothconstructionandmaintenancetolimitworkhourstotimeswhichwouldhavetheleastimpactonairquality.Forconstructioncontractorsinhigh‐volumecorridors,thisincludeslimitingconstructiontonighttimeandotheroff‐peakperiods.Formaintenancecontractors,thisfocusesoncurtailingworkduringozoneactiondays.Inaddition,forTxDOTstaffisencouragedtolimitidlingofagencyvehicleswhenpossible.Inadditiontotheseefforts,TxDOThasalsoundertakenamulti‐yearprojecttoexpandtheuseofalternativefueledvehiclesforareaswithintheso‐calledTERPTriangle.AroughlytriangularregionwithverticesinHouston,SanAntonio,AndDallas‐FortWorththatincludesmostofthemajormetropolitanareasintheStateofTexas.Thisprogramwillworktoreplaceoldergasolineanddieselvehicleswithnew,alternativefueledmodels,includingall‐electricone.ThefirstphaseofthisprojectwillfocusontheHGBareaandwilltakeplaceinthebienniumthatincludes2018and2019.RAILROADPROJECTSANTI‐IDLINGENGINECONTROLSApproximately75%ofUnionPacific (UP) switcher enginesoperating in theHGBareahaveanti‐idlingcontrols,whichreducePMemissions.Thisisanimprovementover60%asreportedinthe2016versionofthisreport.

REFURBISHEDSWITCHERANDLOWEMISSIONENGINESThePortTerminalRailroadAssociation(PTRA)andUPareoperatingnewlyrefurbishedswitcherenginesontheClintonline.UPcurrentlyhas51newlow‐emissiongenset18enginesintheHoustonarea.Inaddition,UPhas13Tier2locomotivesfundedbyTexasEmissionsReductionPlan(TERP).Atpresent,thereareno18Gensetlocomotivesarepoweredbyultra‐low‐emissiondieselenginesthatareconnectedtoelectricgenerators,thusthename"Generator‐Set,"or"Genset"switcher.http://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/implementation/air/sip/hgb/hgb_mveb_2012/12002SIP_ado_complete.pdf

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Tier4locomotivesassignedtotheHoustonregion,howeveritislikelythatanumberofthevehiclesareoperatingwithintheHoustonregionatagiventime.REGULATORYPROJECTSAnumberofregulatoryprojectshavereducedfineparticulatematteremissionsintheHGBregion.Someoftheseinitiativesareoutlinedbelow.EPA’SCONTROLOFEMISSIONSFROMSHIPSIn March 2010, the International Marine Organization (IMO) officially designated waters off NorthAmericancoastsasanEmissionControlArea(ECA)withstringentinternationalemissionstandardsforships.Thefirst‐phasefuelsulfurstandardbeganin2012,whichrequiredthatallmarinedieselfuelsusedbyshipsintheNorthAmericanECAbelimitedtoamaximumfuelsulfurcontentof10,000ppm(1%).InJanuary2015,amorestringentmaximumof1,000ppm(0.1percent)cameintoforceforallshipsintheNorth American ECA. It is anticipated that the implementation of the ECAwill reduce PM2.5 shippingemissionsintheGulfCoastregionby86%.FEDERALMOTORVEHICLECONTROLPROGRAMTheFederalMotorVehicleControlProgramhassignificantlyreducedexhaustemissionsfrombothlightdutyandheavydutyvehiclesintheHGBarea.INDUSTRYPROJECTSAsofJanuary2011,approximately90%ofthenation’srefinerycapacityisunderlodgedorentered‘global’settlementstoreduceSO2emissionsatbothrefineriesandsulfuricacidplants19.AnEastHarrisCountycompanyreducedparticulateemissionsbyanestimated24tonsperyearduring2005 to 2007 with several projects including boiler shutdown, process changes and cooling towerequipment upgrades. Another company upgraded cooling tower equipment and decreased particulateemissions(quantitynotestimated).Shell Deer Park made several equipment upgrades that reduced particulate and/or sulfur dioxideemissions,includingthe2003installationofawetgasscrubberonrefinery’scatcracker,resultinginthereductionof61tpyofPMand4674tpyofSO220.ShellalsoinstalledaflaregasrecoverycompressorsystemontheDeerParkRefinery’sEastPropertyFlareatendof2012—resultinginthereductionof2475tonsofSO221annually.ValeroRefininghas implemented controlmeasures to reduce SO2 emissions by3,500 tpy. TheRhodiasulfuricacidplantwasprojectedtodecreaseitsSO2emissionsby8,984tonsperyearfrom2005to2012.19http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/refineryinitiative‐powerpoint021111.pdf20Basedoncomparisonof2002/2003emissionsto2004/2005emissions21Basedoncomparisonof2011emissionsversus2013preliminary‐AEIemissions

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TheDowChemicalCompanycompletedseveralshutdownsandupgradestofacilitiesatFreeportandDeerParkthatreducedPMemissionsby192.97tpy.Theseprojectsinclude:ashutdownoftheAcetyleneplant(Deer Park), 2008; Latex plant shutdown (Freeport), 2009; Upgrades to theDowPyridine derivativesfacilityandcoolingtower(Freeport),2009;Power3,Power6andPoly2facilitiesshutdown(Freeport),2010;EDCVCMfacilityshutdown(Freeport),2011;Styrene1,2,EBAanddistributionfacilitiesshutdown(Freeport),2012;andimprovementstoHTcoolingTowerinDeerPark,includingdrifteliminators,2013.ENERGYEFFICIENCYINHGBIn1999,thePublicUtilityCommissionofTexas(PUCT)adoptedrulesforthestate'sRenewableEnergyMandate, establishing a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), a renewable‐energy credit (REC) tradingprogram,andrenewable‐energypurchaserequirementsforcompetitiveretailersinTexas22.TheStatehasestablishedtheTexasEnergyEfficiencyresourcegoalof20%incrementalloadgrowthin2011,whichisequivalenttoapproximately0.10%annualsavings,with25%in2012,30%in2013andonward23.InFortBendCounty,NRGEnergyaddeda75‐megawattnaturalgasgeneratingunittoitsW.A.Parishpowerplant.ThisnaturalgasunithashigherenergyefficiencyandlessPM2.5emissionsthanaconventionalpowerplant.PortHoustonalsoincreaseditsrenewableenergypurchasesfrom25%to30%.POTENTIALANDFUTUREPROJECTSTheseideasareNOTcommitmentsoffutureaction.Theyaremerelyideas,andtheirimplementationwouldbecontingentonfundingavailability,andanaffirmativecommitmentfromtheproposingagency.AllideasarevoluntaryandwouldresultinPMbenefits.AIRQUALITYPROGRAMS&PARTNERPROJECTSCLEANVEHICLES&CLEANSCHOOLBUSPROGRAMSTheCleanVehiclesProgramwillcontinuetoprovidesignificantemissionreductionswithinourregion.Thisprogramhasfundedreplacementsofschoolbuses,privatefleets,drayagetrucks,transitvehiclesandmore.Sinceitsstart,theprogramhasprovidedmorethan$78millioninfinancialaid,replacedmorethan2,700enginesanddevelopedseveralalternativefuelingstations.Inthefuture,theCleanVehiclesProgramwill target heavy‐duty fleet replacementswhichwill continue to result in both PM and NOx emissionreductionsfortheregion.In2015,EPAawardedatotalof$240,000tothreeschooldistrictsinTexastoreplaceolderdieselschoolbuseswithnewbusesthatemit90percentcleaneremissions24.TheAldineIndependent,LoneStarPublicSchool and Spring Branch Independent School Districts will receive rebates through EPA’s Diesel22http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=TX03R&re=1&ee=123http://www.aceee.org/sector/state‐policy/texas24http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/dera‐rebate‐schoolbus.htm

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EmissionsReductionActtoreplace12oftheirexistingdieselschoolbuses.Since2008,theDERAprogramhasfundedmorethan600cleandieselprojectsacrossthecountry.Theseprojectshavereducedemissionsformorethan60,000engines.Over500schoolbusfleetsappliedtoEPA'sRebateProgram,requestingmorethan$32millioninfunding.DOEZERO‐EMISSIONDELIVERYVEHICLEDEMONSTRATIONPROJECTThegoalofH‐GAC’sZeroEmissionTruckprojectistodemonstratetheeffectivenessofall‐electricdeliveryvehiclesintheHoustonregion.H‐GACreceivedmorethan$2millionfromtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyfor this project. H‐GAC has partnered with United Parcel Service (UPS) and Workhorse to develop,assemble,anddeployall‐electricdeliveryvehiclesalongwithanelectricvehiclechargingstation(EVSE)foreachvehicleatfacilitieswithintheHGBregion.Thishasresultedinthedeploymentof18oftheseall‐electric vehicles on regional roads. These vehicleswill be tested over two years tomeasure emissionreductions and evaluate vehicle performance. It is anticipated that an additional 12 vehicles will bedeployedwithlocalfleetsbeforecompletionoftheproject.Bydeployingzeroemissiontrucks,theprojectwillreducepetroleumconsumptionandemissionsofharmfulairpollutants,includingPM.REGIONALTERPH‐GACreceived$3millionfromTCEQtoestablishthesecondRegionalTexasEmissionReductionProgram(TERP). The Regional TERP provided grants to local governments for the replacement of non‐roadequipmentandon‐roadvehiclespoweredbyheavydutydieselengines,andaids in thereplacementofdrayagetrucksassociatedwiththeDrayageLoanProgram.RegionalTERPgrantamountsarebasedupontheNOxreductioncreatedbytheequipmentandvehiclereplacement.ThesereplacementswillalsoresultinPM2.5reductionsintheHGBarea.EXPANSIONOFMASSEMISSIONSCAPANDTRADEPROGRAMInTexas,theMassEmissionsCapandTradeProgram(MECT)isamarket‐basedcapandtradeprogramthatimplementsanannualNOxemissionscapformajorsourcefacilitieswithintheHouston‐Galveston‐Brazoria ozone nonattainment area. H‐GAC and other local stakeholders including ExxonMobil,Environmental Defense Fund, and others have beenworkingwith TCEQ to expand the existingMECTprogram to allow the inclusion of exhaust capture systems and emissions treatment systems foroceangoingvesselsandlocomotivesaseligiblecandidatesforthecapandtradeprogram.Atpresent,thesefacilitiesarenoteligibletoparticipateintheprogram.Itisanticipatedthat,shouldtheybecomepartoftheprogram,thattheywillhelptoencouragetheintroductionandexpansionofthesecontrolmeasureswithintheregion.CLEANAIREDUCATIONPMFILTEROUTREACHCAMPAIGNH‐GACisconsideringthepotentialapplicationandimpactofaPMfilteroutreachandeducationcampaignfortruckdrivers.DieselparticulatefiltersareceramicdevicesthatcollectPMinexhauststeam.Thehightemperatureoftheexhaustheatstheceramicstructureandallowstheparticlesinsidetobreakdown(oroxidize) into lessharmful components.Whenmaintainedcorrectly,PM filters reduceemissionsofPM,

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hydrocarbons and carbonmonoxide by 60 to 90 percent25. To function appropriately,manufacturersrecommend that filters be cleaned every 100,000 miles to prevent clogged filters. The educationalcomponentofthiscampaignwouldfocusonappropriateuseandmaintenanceofPMfiltersandassociatedemissionreductiontechnology.HOUSTONINDEPENDENTSCHOOLDISTRICT(HISD)HISDELECTRICVEHICLESCHOOLBUSDEMONSTRATIONPROJECTThispotentialfutureprojectisbeingledbyNationalStrategiesLLCaspartofacommitmentmadeunderthe Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), with the support of Houston Independent School District (HISD),TransPowerandNRGandothers.Thedemonstrationprojectbeingconsideredincludestherepowerof4conventionaltype‐CHISDschoolbusestoall‐electric,batterypoweredvehicles(EV)withvehicle‐to‐grid(V2G)technologyandvehicle‐to‐building(V2B)capability.Theprojectdurationisanticipatedtobe2.5to3 years, including a 9‐month bus operation cycle in summer andwinter seasons with a total cost ofapproximately$2million.TheoverallobjectivesoftheprojectaretodemonstratetheeconomicviabilityandairqualitybenefitsofEVV2Gschoolbuses inordertospeedtheadoptionofzero‐emissionschoolbusesandassociatedemissionreductionsacrosstheU.S.CITYOFHOUSTONRENEWABLEENERGYIn 2014, EPA recognized the City of Houston for its use of green power practices and technologies26.Houston signed a two‐year agreement to purchase more than 620million kilowatt‐hours of certifiedrenewableenergycertificatesfromwindprojects.Thispurchaseaccountsforhalfofthecity'smunicipalpowerneedsandmakeHoustonthelargestmunicipalpurchaserofrenewablepowerintheGreenPowerPartnership. The City is planning to continue to expand this renewable energy portfolio through theconstructionof30MWofsolarpowerwhichwillbeusedtopowerCityfacilities.PORTHOUSTON27FUTUREDUSTSUPPRESSIONPROJECTSFugitiveroaddustentrainmentrates,whetherfromparkinglotsoronthetransitnetwork,dependuponthe dust loading, vehicle speed and number of vehicles. Dust loading has been controlled by pavingunpavedsurfacesandregularpavementcleaningorwateringorothertreatmentofunpavedsurfaces.The

25EPAhttp://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/diesel/pdfs/particulate_matter_filter_fact%20sheet.pdf26http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/awards/winners.htm

27TheseideasareNOTcommitmentsoffutureaction.Theyaremerelyideas,andtheirimplementationwouldbecontingentonfundingavailability,andanaffirmativecommitmentfromtheproposingagency.TheseideascanbeconsideredasfactorsinthePMAdvancediscussion,buttheythemselvesarenotopenfordiscussionbeforeRAQPAC.AllideasarevoluntaryandwouldresultinPMbenefits.Contingentonfunding,andinconjunctionwithTxDOT,railroads,theCityofHouston,H‐GAC,andHarrisCounty

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benefitsoftheseprogramsareproportionaltotheactivityonthosesurfaces.Analysisoftheseprojectsisrelativelystraightforwardgiventhelevelofactivityandunderstandingofthedustloadingofthoseareas.PortHoustonisplanningdustsuppressionprojectsinfutureyears.Approximately30acreswillcontinuetohaveemulsifiedasphaltsprayedfollowingthisinitialeffort.BROADWAYDOUBLETRACKPROJECTAccesstotheentirerailnetworkservingthesouthsideoftheHoustonShipChannel(HSC)isconstrainedbyashort,butcriticalbottlenecksegmentofsingletrack.PortHoustonownsthetracksegment,whichisoperatedbyPortTerminalRailroadAssociation(PTRA).AlltrainsservingtheindustrialandportfacilitiesonthesouthsideoftheHSCmustoperateoverthis0.28‐milesegmentofsingletrack,whichincludesasingle‐trackbridgeoverBroadwayStreetToremedythis,theconstructionofasecondtrackthroughthisbottlenecksegmentisneededandthePortwassuccessfulingettingthisprojectintotheH‐GACTransportationImprovementProgram(TIP).Havingtwomaintracksonthissegmentwouldreducedelaystotrainsawaitingclearancetoenterontothesingletrack,improvingtheflowofcargoestoandfromindustrialandportfacilitiesandreducingemissions.Thesingle‐tracksegmentalreadyisoperatingaboveitsoriginaldesigncapacitywhichiscausing21/2hoursoftraindelayperday,andwillbecometotallyconstrainedin2018.Theadditionalcapacityprovidedbyasecondtrackwouldbesufficienttohandleanticipatedvolumegrowthforthenextthirtyyears.NATURALGASPortHoustonwillbeworkingwithCenterPointEnergyonafeasibilitystudyforconvertingdieselpoweredterminaltractorstonaturalgas.BARBOURSCUTANDBAYPORTEXTENDEDGATEHOURSTorespondtotheincreasesresinproductionthatwillcomeonlinein lastquarterof2017thatwillbeexportedthroughthePortHouston,containerterminals,thePortplanstoextendgatehoursatitsBayportandBarboursCutcontainerterminals.Thiswillhelpreduceanypotentialcongestionfromtheexpectedincreased trafficaswell asallowothercontainer truck traffic theavailability tocomeatnightandnotcontributetopeaktrafficduringtheday.OTHERREGIONALPORTPROJECTSOVERWEIGHTCONTAINERROUTEBETWEENHGBREGIONPORTSAnoverweightordedicatedtruckroutecanimproveemissionsbyreducingstop‐and‐goemissionsandreducing the number of truck trips. During themost recent rulemaking session, the Texas legislaturepassedarulethatallowsshippingcompaniestopurchasepermitsthatallowoverweighttrucksonregionalroads.TheserulesmayallowmorecargotobeshippedwithfewertrucksaswellashelptosmoothtrafficflowaroundPortareaswhichcanresultinimprovedemissions.Inothertransportationmeasures,suchastrafficsignalimprovements,trafficflowimprovementshavebeenshowntoreduceemissionsratesbyfine

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(5)toten(10)percentforregionalfleets.Therelativebenefitmaybehigherwithheavy‐dutytrucksthanforlight‐dutyvehiclesbecausebraking,idling,andaccelerationarehighemissionsmodesfortrucks.Overall emission reductionswill alsodependon thededicated truck routes and theexpectedusageofroutes.Otherconsiderationsincludewhetherinfrastructurecostsareincurredtoallowoverweighttrucks,creategradeseparation,orovercomeobstaclestoallowsuchtrucksroutestobeconstructed.RAILROADPROJECTSREPLACEMENTOFRAILROADSWITCHERENGINESIntheHoustonarea,therehasbeendiscussionregardingapotentialfuturerailroaddemonstrationprojectinvolving the replacementof traditional switcherengineswithnatural‐gas‐poweredengines.Poweringlong‐haullocomotiveswithLNGwouldresultinPMreductionbenefitsfortheHGBregion.REGULATORYPROJECTSTIER‐3MOTORVEHICLEFUELANDEMISSIONSTANDARDSThe Tier‐3 emission standards include a lower PM emission standard for light‐duty gasoline vehiclesbeginningin2017andphasinginthrough2025.Thismeansthatinadditiontothe2007PMstandardsforheavy‐dutydieselthatisreducingPMemissionsinthenearterm,asthefleetturnsover,on‐roadvehiclePMemissionswillcontinuetodecreaseinthefuture.ThetablebelowshowstheeffectofTier‐3emissionstandardsinyears2018and2030.ComparisonofEmissionReductionsfromOn‐RoadInventories28 2018 2030Pollutant NationalInventory

ReductionAirQuality

InventoryReductionNationalInventory

ReductionAirQualityInventory

ReductionPM2.5 ‐0.1% ‐0.4% ‐10.0% ‐10.4%NOx ‐9.6% ‐9.9% ‐24.6% ‐25.5%VOC ‐2.8% ‐2.4% ‐15.5% ‐14.4%CO ‐1.6% ‐1.6% ‐23.4% ‐25.3%SO2 ‐56.3% ‐55.9% ‐55.7% ‐55.0%

28http://www.epa.gov/otaq/tier3.htm

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CONCLUSIONH‐GAC’sparticipation inPMAdvancehasbeen,andcontinues tobe, a successfulexampleofvoluntarycollaborationbetween local government, business, industry, citizens, andenvironmental groups inourregion.Inthepast,theHGBregionhasfacedpotentialnonattainmentdesignationsforPM.Sincethattime,ourregionhasmadesignificantimprovementsandsuccessfullyavoidednonattainmentstatusin2015.This Path Forward document continues a framework for the region to continue to meet air qualitystandardsandachievetheProgrammissiontoencouragevoluntaryacceleratedimplementationofcurrentcleanairstrategiesandprograms.Ourregionneeds tocontinue tocollectivelyworktogether tobetterunderstandPM.Futuregrowthwillinevitablyimpactparticulatematteremissionsinourregion—whetherduetopopulation,industryoreconomicgrowth.Throughthisprogram,wewillcontinuetoworktogethertounderstandregionalPMemissionsandmeetourairqualityandattainmentgoals.