AACOG Area Clean Air Partnership

Program Mission

Program Goals

Partnership Background

Benefits to Businesses

Become a Clean Air Partner

Spotlight Member

The mission of the Alamo Clean Air Partnership (ACAP) is to improve our quality of life, maintain a healthy environment, and promote economic growth in the San Antonio region by achieving federal air quality standards.

The partnership relies on the voluntary commitment of area businesses and organizations to reduce their air pollution emissions. This goal may be accomplished through the implementation of a variety of strategies that reduce emissions from:

company-owned or leased vehicles and equipment;
site and facilities maintenance activities;
workplace (employee) commuting;
industrial/manufacturing processes.

On April 15, 2004, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") designated 474 counties in the nation as “nonattainment” for either failing to meet the revised ozone standard or for causing a downwind county to fail. Among those designated were the counties of Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe.

Prior to the 2004 designations, elected officials in the San Antonio region signed an Early Action Compact agreement with the Federal and State governments that defers the region’s nonattainment status until 2008, giving local leaders an opportunity to implement voluntary pollution reduction measures using a faster timeline than required under a nonattainment designation.

Although the Early Action Compact defers the effective date of the 2004 nonattainment designations for the San Antonio area, the Compact agreement-and its associated protections-ended in December 2007. Continuing to meet the federal clean air standards will require support from all sectors: the government, business, industry, education, and the public. Businesses, industries, and government entities are encouraged to help in this effort by joining the Alamo Clean Air Partnership and voluntarily reducing their air pollution emissions.

Meeting the national air quality standards for ozone means creating a healthier environment and maintaining the economic vitality of the region. Because the Clean Air Act’s “new source review” requirements for point sources are less stringent in attainment areas than in nonattainment areas, clean air regions may be more attractive to new businesses.

Companies and agencies that join the partnership will be recognized for their efforts to improve our air quality through media and other outlets. In addition to recognition as a good corporate citizen, participation in some ACAP programs can save employers and/or employees money.

Most importantly, joining the partnership and reducing air pollution benefits everyone by creating a healthier environment. Ground-level ozone is a pollutant that is particularly harmful to sensitive groups: the young, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses. However, ozone can also harm healthy individuals by causing such conditions as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing, headaches and nausea, and throat and lung irritation.

Current Alamo Clean Air Partners have implemented a variety of measures to improve the region’s air quality. Many of these strategies require little or no financial investment and little staff time to implement. Since pollution reduction measures typically reduce the use of fuel and electrical power, they may provide substantial cost savings as well.

Click on the links below to view air pollution reduction strategies for businesses and organizations. Use these resources to identify air improvement programs that suit your organization’s goals. When your business or organization is ready to move forward with a Clean Air strategy, contact bwilliams@aacog.com for assistance. We’ll also make your business/organization a member of the Alamo Clean Air Partnership and see that your company receives the positive recognition it deserves for establishing clean air measures.

For more information about the program or to consult with an ACAP team member about pollution reduction programs appropriate for your business, contact:

Brenda Williams
Projects Manager–Natural Resources Department
Alamo Area Council of Governments
8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 700
San Antonio, TX 78217
(210) 362-5246
bwilliams@aacog.com

AACOG's Mission:
To enhance the lives of all residents of the Alamo Region by working in mutual respect and partnership with all levels of government, the business sector, and the community at large to meet regional challenges and to create regional strengths.

Last updated on June 26, 2009