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Northwest Air Summit a Sucess, Priorities Set

Release Date: 6/19/2003
Contact Information: Barbara McAllister
[email protected]
(206) 553-6707

June 19, 2003

The Leadership Team of the Northwest Collaborative Air Priorities Project (NW CAPP) announced today eight priorities and 17 projects to improve air quality and protect public health in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. The priorities and projects were developed by a diverse group of regional leaders at the recent Northwest Air Summit in Seattle, Washington.

The Summit attracted nearly 200 participants from business, non-profits, local, state, tribal and federal governments. During the three-day session, the group reviewed the state of air quality in the region, presented individual concerns and worked to identify the most significant risks to human health and the environment.

"Originally we were shooting for five priorities, but the delegates were so passionate about working toward a brighter future, we ended up with eight," said Barbara McAllister of the U.S. Environmentl Protection Agency."I have not seen this type of synergy among so many differing interests in a long time."

The NW CAPP Leadership Team, a group of 19 people representing diverse interests from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, hosted the Northwest Air Summit on June 3, 4 and 5. Representatives from Canada were also on hand to advise on cross border issues.

"Now the real work begins," said McAllister. "We have established the priorities and signed up to work on projects, but the actions are what will transform our air quality in the future. Together we are creating a new way of addressing environmental concerns."
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Preamble

We recognize that air quality issues are critical to our quality of life now and for future generations. Air quality issues are inter-connected with economic development, ecosystems, and environmental justice. Decisions must be supported by sound science. Economic prosperity and vitality are also important to achieve balance. We acknowledge, maintain, celebrate, and build upon our past successes in air quality and will focus on the following priorities for the next 5 to 10 years.

Priorities

1. Reduce emissions from transportation, especially diesel and carbon dioxide, and support land use planning and alternate transportation as tools.
2. Reduce emissions from combustion, including:
• energy production, and
• residential, forestry, and agricultural burning and support alternative energy sources
3. Reduce risks from air pollution indoors, including:
• homes,
• offices,
• schools, and
• other buildings
4. Increase support for education and other means of encouraging the public to take actions to reduce air pollution.
5. Reduce health risks from outdoor toxic air pollutants, including identification of hot spots and primary contributing sources of toxic emissions.
6. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change.
7. Reduce health risks from toxic and other air pollution where people live, especially in minority, low income, rural, and other under- represented communities.
8. Reduce risks to ecosystems, tribal communities, and their cultural resources from toxic and other air pollution sources.

1. Linking Land Use, Transportation and Air Quality
2. Workshop on Economic Incentives for Alternative Energy
3. Grassroots Collaborative Projects to Achieve (voluntary) Emission Reductions
4. Clean Diesel Initiative
5. Regional Smoke Management Coordination
6. Amend Building Codes/Materials/Manufacturing Process
7. Consumer/Personal Products/Manufacturing/Labeling
8. Develop Air Educational Curriculum and Implement K-12 School Program
9. Develop Complete Emissions Inventory for the Northwest
10. Proposal to Establish the Northwest International Air Quality Science Coordinating Committee
11. Healthy Buildings
12. Marine Vessels/Ports Emissions
13. Biodiesel Purchasing
14. Develop Educational Program on Burning
15. September 2003 Workshop on Air Quality for Producers and Small Businesses
16. Portland Hot Spots Project
17. Support Tribal Implementation of Air Programs