Decrease air emissions from vehicle idling, gasoline filling stations, business trucking, and pollutants/noise from stationary engines/back-up generators.
Best Practice of this action
Keywords
schools
Rating Guideline
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Document results from your vehicle-idling actions: for example, no idling in the downtown core or around schools; educate vehicle owners about the importance of vehicle anti-tampering; document results from the voluntary Stage 1 vapor recovery systems at public gasoline filling stations. Report no-idling policies for city and school fleets in BP 13. |
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Report on your campaign with retail stores OR gasoline-replacement efforts; conduct an educational campaign that focuses on reducing air pollution in environmental justice areas of concern; work with food trucks to decrease noise/pollutants; provide incentives to repair ‘smoker cars’ (older model/high polluting vehicles); installation of public/private voluntary Stage 1 vapor recovery systems at gasoline filling stations; provide tools to vehicle owners that deter vehicle tampering; installation by the city or businesses of auxiliary power units (APUs) and/or electrified parking spaces that reduce truck and bus idling. Report APUs for city fleets under BPA 13.6. |
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Decrease pollutants from back-up generators by shared generators, fuel cells, etc.; document that any gasoline filling stations located within jurisdiction have been inspected and installed Stage 1 vapor recovery systems in place; participation of 1 or more trucking or shipping or logistic companies based in your city in U.S. EPA's SmartWay Transport program. |
Resources
Use the MPCA Air Pollution Score on the Environmental Justice Areas of Concern Map (MPCA) to locate areas for targeted policy, assistance, and incentives.
Vehicle Idling & Exhaust:
- Anti-idling resources from the MN Pollution Control Agency, including model policies and educational materials for schools and a comprehensive city policy from Minneapolis.
- Guide to Selecting Generators and Stationary Engines: Smart Choices can Minimize Impacts (MPCA, 2017) includes useful tips for food trucks and back-up generator users to reduce noise, pollutants and costs.
- An estimated 25% of passenger vehicles cause 90% of local mobile air pollution, mostly due to older cars having outdated or broken emission controls and exhaust equipment. Environmental Initiative has started Project CAR to help address this problem for people with low-incomes.
- MPCA’s webpage on vehicle tampering has great information to learn about the issue and recognize the places where it happens.
Gasoline Filling Stations:
- Gasoline vapors contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. In 2014 alone, gasoline service stations throughout Minnesota accounted for 10.7 million pounds of VOC emissions.
- Apply for a grant: The MPCA seeks proposals from eligible applicants for projects that aim to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the filling of underground storage tanks at gasoline dispensing facilities.
- The city of Coon Rapids installed a coaxial VRS in July 2019. Annually, they are able to eliminate over 700 pounds of air emissions from their underground tank. The system was installed for just over $1,500, with half of the funding covered by a grant from the PCA.
- The city of Edina has an underground storage tank with annual throughput of over 100,000 gallons. Installing a stage 1 vapor recovery system in 2019 complemented the city’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Annually, the stage one vapor recovery system will divert 710 pounds of VOC emissions, adding up to 3.5 tons over ten years.
Trucking:
- Project GreenFleet is a collaborative effort led by Minnesota's Environmental Initiative, to help business, government agencies and non-profit organizations work together to improve air quality and protect public health by reducing emissions, currently focused on diesel-fueled heavy construction vehicles.
- Since 2004 the U.S. EPA's SmartWay transportation program has helped companies - shippers, carriers, logistic companies - save money and advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking, and improving freight transportation efficiency. Cities can reach out to encourage local companies to use SmartWay tools, and can recognize and publicize the good works of SmartWay participants.
Generators:
- Emergency generators and stationary engines recommended practices (MPCA)
- MPCA financing for auxiliary power units is done through its Small Business Environmental Improvement Loan program.
Order Number
3
Action Type
Finite