Best Practice Action Detail

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• An estimated 25% of passenger vehicles cause 90% of local mobile air pollution, mostly due to older cars having outdated or broken emission controls and exhaust equipment.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.