AIRQUALITY ADVOCACYTASKFORCE _______________________

FINALIMPLEMENTATIONREPORT
November19,2009

1

 AIRQUALITYADVOCACYTASKFORCE: FINALIMPLEMENTATIONREPORT NOVEMBER,2009

Summary: JCCIsAirQualitystudy,chairedbyA.QuintonWhite,Jr.,wasconductedoveraneightmonth periodandreleasedtothecommunityinJune,2007.Whilerecognizingtheprogress Jacksonvillehasmadeinovercomingsignificantairpollutionandodorproblemsthatonce madeitthebruntofnationaljokes,thestudyconcludedthataproactiveapproachto Jacksonvillesairqualityfutureisstillimperative.Withananticipateddoublinginthecitys populationby2030andthepredictableattendantairpollutionfromincreasedenergy productionandvehicleemissions,itisclearthatwithoutacommunitywideefforttoeffectively dealwiththeseproblems,thequalityoflife,naturalenvironment,andeconomyofNortheast Floridawillbeseverelycompromised. Withthatasabackdrop,theAirQualityAdvocacyTaskForce,undertheleadershipofDonaldD. Anderson,beganitsworkinJuly,2007.Agroupof34individualsattendedanorientation meetingandwereinvolvedatvariousstagesofthetwoyearproject,and25participatedfrom beginningtoend.TheTaskForcewasdividedintofoursubcommitteeswitheachassuming responsibilityforaminimumofthreeofthestudys14recommendations.ThefullTaskForce metquarterly,andthesubcommitteesmetseparatelyonnumerousoccasions,includingmany individualmeetingswithawiderangeofstakeholders,electedofficials,andprominentcivic leadersthroughoutNortheastFlorida.ComplicatingthechallengesoftheTaskForcewasthe worldwideeconomicdownturnwhichsharplycurtailedfundingopportunitiesforvarious projectscontemplatedintherecommendations. Nonetheless,thisfinalimplementationreportpresentsapositivepictureofsuccess,withseven oftherecommendationsbeingfullyimplemented,fivepartiallyimplemented,andonlytwonot implementedatall.AsisfrequentlythecasewithJCCIimplementationprojects,however, perhapsthemostimportantcontributionoftheTaskForceisthedegreetowhichitelevated theawarenesslevelthroughoutthecommunityofissuesrelatedtoenvironmental sustainability.Thisservedasacatalystformanypositivedevelopmentsthatensuedoverthe twoyeartimespan.WhiletheAdvocacyTaskForcecertainlydoesnotclaimdirect responsibilityforalloftheachievementsthathelpedaddresstherecommendations,weare confidentthatoureffortswereinstrumentalinbringinggreaterfocustotheseissueswhich helpedtoinfluencefavorableoutcomes.
2

WhentheAirQualityStudywasinitiatedin2007,manynowfamiliartermsorphraseswere eitherunfamiliarorlargelyignoredintheJacksonvillecommunity,suchas:LEEDgreen buildingstandards;CFLs;SustainabilityOfficers;EnergyStarappliances;biofuelsand biomass;andmanyotherexamples.Twoyearslater,thesehavebecomesomuchapartof commonlexiconthatitseemstheyvealwaysbeenpartofJacksonvillesculture. ThisisperhapsthemostimportantandlastinglegacyoftheAirQualityproject,andthe dedicatedmembersoftheAdvocacyTaskForce,whileoftenconductingtheirworkquietlyand outofthepublicview,deservesignificantcreditforthistransformationofthecommunitys mindset. RecommendationsandOutcomesofAdvocacyEfforts:

Recommendation1:TheMayorofJacksonvilleshouldappointaSustainabilityOfficerto coordinateeffortstoestablishgoals,objectives,andtargetsforairqualityimprovementand longrangesustainabilityplans.TheSustainabilityOfficershouldengagetheuniversities, businesses,governmententities,environmentalgroups,andthegeneralpublicandshouldlead theeffortto: ExplorethemodelofCoolCitiesandtheMayorsClimateProtectionAgreementandits objectivestodevelopandadoptlocalfeasiblegoalsforreducinggreenhousegases; CreateaplantoaddressclimatechangeimpactsandgreenhousegasesinDuvalCounty incorporatinggoalsandmeasurableoutcomes; Provideamodelforcitizens,byhavingenergyefficientcompactfluorescentlightbulbs (CFLs)installedinallcityfacilitiesandprovidingaresponsibleCFLdisposalprogram; StrengthentheEnvironmentalProtectionBoardsroleineducatingthegeneralpublic, identifyingenvironmentalproblems,andenforcingcompliancewithinJacksonvilles longrangesustainabilityplans;and EngagethecitysvariousCPACandneighborhoodassociationsindevelopingair pollution,health,andenergyconservationawareness. Results:Byvirtueofanexecutiveorder(Attachment1)signedbyMayorPeytononSeptember 26,2008,anOfficeofSustainabilityInitiativeswascreatedfortheCityofJacksonville,along withthepositionofSustainabilityOfficer.DerekIgouwasappointedtothenewposition, headingasustainabilityteamof20chiefsanddeputydirectorsfromdifferentCitydepartments. TheprimaryroleoftheSustainabilityOfficeristooverseetheCityseffortstobecomea greener,moreenergyefficientcommunity,startingwithCitygovernment.Particular recognitionisduetoEnvironmentalProtectionBoardchairRobertSchusterwhowasastrong advocateforthesedevelopmentsandwasinstrumentalinshepherdingthemthroughthe politicalprocess.
3

Otherdevelopmentsinclude: MayorPeytonsignedtheMayorsClimateProtectionAgreementin2008andisoneof 969mayorsnationwidetohavedoneso.TheMayorsClimateProtectionAgreement seekstoreducecarbonemissionsinparticipatingcitiesbelow1990levels,inlinewith theKyotoProtocol. AtMayorPeytonsrequest,theCityofJacksonvilleconductedNavigatorTrainingfor departmentheadsonSeptember17,2008.FacilitatedbyJohnsonControls,thepurpose ofthetrainingwastoestablisharoadmapandstrategicplanfortheCityssustainable practicesprogram. TheCityofJacksonvilleissystematicallyreplacingoldfluorescentlighttubeswithnew PhilipsAltoIIbulbsinallofitsbuildings.AltoIIisagreen,sustainabletechnology inventedbyPhilipsthatimprovesenergyefficiencyanddramaticallyreducesthe amountofmercurypresentinfluorescentbulbs.Thereplacementbulbsbeingusedby theCityare25wattsratherthanthestandard32wattbulbspreviouslyutilized. BecausetheAltoIIbulbsaresolowinmercury,theydonotrequirespecialdisposal. FinalStatus:Recommendation1Implemented

Recommendation2:TheJacksonvilleCityCouncilshouldrevisethecitysbuildingcodesto incorporateGreenBuildingStandardstoincreaseenergyefficiency.Itshouldalsoencourage theinstallationofEnergyStarcompliantappliancesandequipment,followingstandardsofthe FloridaGreenBuildingCoalitionandU.S.GreenBuildingCoalitionsLeadershipinEnergyand EnvironmentalDesign(LEED). Results:AttheurgingoftheAirQualityTaskForce(seeAttachment2),theCityCouncilpassed andMayorPeytonapprovedOrdinance2009211(Attachment3)onApril22,2009,establishing asustainablegreenbuildingsprogramfortheCityofJacksonville.TheOrdinancestates:Itis theintentoftheCouncilincreatingthisSustainableBuildingprogramtodemonstratea substantialcommitmentonthepartoftheCitytofinance,plan,design,construct,manage, renovate,commission,andmaintainCountyBuildingswithsustainablebuildingstandardsand tosupportdevelopmentofprivatelyownedbuildingsinJacksonvilletosustainablestandards. LEED(LeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign)Standardsrepresentthegoldstandard inthesustainablebuildingindustry,andtherecentlyrenovatedJakeGodboldCityHallAnnexis thefirstCityownedbuildingtomeetLEEDrequirements.Amongotherdepartments,this buildingnowhousestheCitysEnvironmentalQualityDivision,which,undertermsofthe Ordinance,willcoordinateatleastonetrainingworkshopperyearforthepurposeofeducating CitystaffandcurrentandpotentialparticipantsintheSustainableBuildingProgramonthe program,itsbenefitsandrequirements. CompliancewiththeSustainableBuildingsProgramOrdinanceisrequiredforallnewly constructedcityownedbuildings,includingtheoneservicingAnimalCareandProtective ServicesandthenewCountyCourthouse.Complianceisvoluntaryforprivateconstruction,but
4

aCertificationRefundGrantProgramwasestablishedaspartoftheGreenBuildingsOrdinance toprovideincentivestoachievegreenbuildingcertificationthroughrefundsoftheactualcost ofsuchcertification. FinalStatus:Recommendation2Implemented

Recommendation3:TheCityofJacksonvilleandallthevariousAuthorities,JTA,andDuval CountyPublicSchoolsanditstransportationcontractorsshouldincreasethepercentageoftheir fleetofhybridandalternativefuelvehiclestoreducemobileemissionsandimproveairquality andtohelpestablishinthecityaninfrastructureforalternativefuelsthatcitizenscanaccess. Results:Asafirststepinaddressingthisrecommendation,SubcommitteeBoftheAirQuality TaskForceconvenedameetingofseverallocalgovernmentagenciesinNovember,2007,to discusstheirrespectiveapproachestoalternativefuelvehicleinitiatives.Thediscussion resultedintherecognitionthatacoordinatedeffortinvolvingtheCityanditsagencieswithan organizingentityatitshelmwouldbepreferabletoanincrementalapproach. Afterresearchingexistingprogramsandstructuresthatprovideappropriatesupportforsuch communitywidecollaborations,itwasdeterminedthatformingalocalchapterofthefederal CleanCitiesCoalitionshouldbeexplored. AcomponentoftheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy(DOE),CleanCitieswascreatedin1993to promotethevoluntaryuseoftechnologiesthatwillreducetheuseofpetroleum.Specificallyas itrelatestoRecommendation3,CleanCitiesadvancestheuseofalternativefuelsandvehicles, idolreductiontechnologies,hybridelectricvehicles,fuelblends,andotherfueleconomy measures.CoalitionmemberscommittocertainstipulationsoftheCleanCitiesprogram, includingconversiontoalternativefuelvehiclesintheirtransportationfleets,andotherspecific fuelefficiencyprovisions. WorkinginconcertwithSubcommitteeB,theNorthFloridaTransportationPlanning Organization(TPO)agreedtoassumetheroleofcoordinatorforalocalCleanCitiesCoalition chapter.AninformationalmeetingwasheldonJuly9,2008,withrepresentativesfromover30 localstakeholderspresent,includingJTA,JEA,JaxPort,DuvalCountyPublicSchools,large privatesectoremployers,andnonprofitassociations.Developmentofastrategicplanto addresstheninestepCleanCitiesapprovalprocessisbeingledbyWandaForrest,longrange transportationmanagerforNorthFloridaTPO. OncetheCleanCitieschapterhasbeenestablishedandapprovedbyDOE,itwillprovidethe basisforacoordinatedandsustainedeffortthroughoutthecommunityforincreaseduseof hybridandalternativeusevehiclesonalargescale. FinalStatus:Recommendation3Implemented
5

Recommendation4:JEAshouldcontinuetoleadcommunityeducationeffortsonenergy conservation.Forexample,JEAshould: Expanditseducationprogramsthatprovideconsumerfriendlyinformationandadvance itsinitiativesonenergyconservationprogramsthattakeintoconsiderationfamily income; Initiateacompactfluorescentlightbulb(CFL)distributionprogramthatincludesaplan forproperCFLdisposal,andpublicizeitssuccess;and AssisttheCityofJacksonvilleandthevariousAuthoritiestoimprovehowtheirwebsites highlightenergyconservationinformationandinitiatives. Results:Inregardtoeducationprogramsonenergyconservationprograms,JEAhasadopted anaggressive,innovativeapproachtowhatitperceivesasitsroleinthepromotionofenergy conservationmethodsintheJacksonvillecommunity.Aspartofitsconservationprogram,JEA hasinstitutedthefollowing: EducationFulfillmentProgramanoutreachprogramforallschools(publicandprivate) inJEAsservicearea.Teachersareprovidedwithclassroomresourcespromotingenergy reductiontechniquesandstrategies. LowIncomeHousingEnergyAssistanceProgramFundedbyJEA,thisprogrameducates targetedcitizensonenergyefficiency,anditassiststhemwithinstallationofenergy savingfeatures(caulking,lowflowshowerheads,etc.)toreducetheirenergybills. CommunityOutreachPresentationsAtitscommunityoutreachforums,JEAprovides free6packsofcompactfluorescentlightbulbs(CFLs)tolowincomeandsenior residentsthroughagrantfromTheCommunityFoundation. AwarenessCampaignonEnergyConservationJEAconductedanextensivetelevision campaignduring2008focusingonenergyconservationandthestepsindividualscan taketoreducetheircarbonfootprints. JEAhastakentheleadinattemptingtoestablishaNortheastFloridaEnergyEfficiency Alliance,thegoalofwhichistodevelopacommunitystrategytoachievesignificant energysavingsbyretrofittingbuildingsandinstallingrenewabletechnologiesinallend usesectors.AnorganizationalmeetingwasheldonApril23,2009,andapproximately 30communitystakeholdersattended. WorkingcloselywiththeTaskForcesSubcommitteeC,JEAinitiatedaCFLdistributionprogram involvingmorethan170retailersintheJacksonvillearea(seeAttachment8forcomplete listing). ACFLdisposalprogramhasalsobeenestablished,withover40retaillocationsavailablefor dropoffofusedCFLs.CalledGreenPartners,thisdisposalprogramprovidesnocostdropoff servicestoconsumersandrecoversthemercuryfromthebulbsforreuse(seeAttachment8 forlistingofparticipants). FinalStatus:Recommendation4Implemented
6

Recommendation5:Inordertocontrolgreenhousegasandotheremissions,JEA,asthelargest municipallyownedutilityinFlorida,shouldcontinuetoimplementtheirexpressedpurposeto improvethequalityoflifeinthecommunitiestheyserveby: Restructuringelectricratestoencourageconservationofenergy; Increasingthepercentageoflocalenergyproductionfromrenewablesources;and Exploringalternativetechnologiessuchasbiomass,solidwasteandnuclearpower production,andcarbonsequestration. Results:InordertofundJEAscomprehensiveconservationanddemandreductionprograms (whicharedesignedtoreduceelectricconsumptionand,atthesametime,reducetheneedfor acquiringorconstructingadditionalgeneratingcapacity),theJEABoardenactedaConservation Charge.Thischarge,intheamountof$0.01perkWhforusageabove2.75kWhinasingle month,isappliedtoresidentialelectricaccounts.Inadditiontobeingasourceoffundingfor JEAconservationinitiatives,theConservationChargealsohelpstodiscourageexcessive residentialelectricconsumption. JEAsrevisednetmeteringpolicywasimplementedinAugust,2009forcustomerowned renewablegeneration.Customerownedrenewablegenerationupto100kWhisallowed underthispolicy.Thecustomergenerationisutilizedtooffsetenergyconsumedbythe customer.Anymonthlycreditbalancewillbecarriedovertothenextmonthanddisplayedas partofthemonthlybillingstatement.JEAwillcarryoveracreditbalanceeachmonththrough theendofthecalendaryear.Ifattheendofthecalendaryearthecustomerselectricaccount hasacreditbalance,JEAwillpaythecustomertheamountofsuchbalance.Netmetering customerswillbechargedforthemeteredkWhsenttoJEAeachmonth.Themonetarycredit tothecustomerwillbecalculatedusingthecustomersretailenergyrate,demand,fuel, environmentalandconservationcharges(RetailRate)perkWh. JEAhasanestablishedgoalof7.5%ofitsgeneratingcapacitytobecleanpowerby2015.In addition,JEAcontinuestoreviewandevaluatefuturegenerationplanninginresponseto currentstateandfederallegislativeactivitiesproposingmandatesrequiringapercentageof renewableenergyforelectricgeneratingutilities. JEAisincreasingthepercentageoflocalenergyproductionfromrenewableresources: LandfillGas(a)JEAhasutilizedtheCOJNorthLandfillgasasafuelintheNorthside Unit#3generatingunitandCOJGirvinLandfillgasasafuelinonsiteenginestoproduce power(indiscussionwithCOJforcontinuanceofgasusage);(b)JEAcommencedthe receiptof9.1MWsofenergypower(approximately4500homes)fromtheTrailRidge Landfillgastoenergyfacilitythroughapurchasepoweragreement(PPA)inDecember 2008. BuckmanWastewaterFacilityJEAutilizestheproducedmethanegastogenerate power. SolarPhotovoltaicJEAhasinstalledsolarphotovoltaicsatseveralpublicfacilities includinghighschools,theJacksonvilleZoo,JIA,JacksonvilleChamberofCommerce,etc.
7

JEAsignedaPPAwithJacksonvilleSolar,LLC,toreceivetheenergyfroma12.6MW solarphotovoltaicfarmbeginningin2010. SolarThermalJEAhasarebateprogramtoassistcustomersintheinstallationofsolar waterheaters. WindJEAhasa10MWshareofNebraskaPublicPowerDistrictswindfarmwhereJEA receivestherenewableenergycreditsforthepowerwhichissoldbacktoNPPD. Vehicles36%ofJEAsvehiclefleetarepoweredbybiodieselandethanolfuels. UniversityofNorthFloridaLabJEAhassponsoredthislabforresearchandeducation andpartnerswiththeUniversitytoreceiveengineeringsupportongreenenergy technologies,suchassolarthermal,wind,biodiesel,hydroelectric,etc. JEAsprogressonexplorationofalternativetechnologiesincludes: Conductedastudyforaselfbuildbiomassproject,aswellascofiringbiomassinJEAs existingsolidfuelfacilities. JEAcurrentlyisinnegotiationsforaPPAtoreceiveenergyfroma50MWbiomass facility. JEAhasestablishedatargetdateof2018foratleast10%ofitsenergyrequirementsto bemetbynuclearenergy.JEAisactivelyexploringopportunitiestoacquireownership positionsinnucleargenerationfacilitiesconstructedandoperatedbyothers;and possiblePPAs,inwhichJEAwouldpurchasenucleargeneratedenergyfromownersof nuclearfacilities.JEAsignedaPPAwithMunicipalElectricAuthorityofGeorgia(MEAG) toreceive200MWsofenergyfromthetobeconstructedMEAGnuclearfacilities. JEAassessedcarboncaptureandsequestrationfeasibilityandcostswithrespecttothe existingJEAfleet. FinalStatus:Recommendation5Implemented

Recommendation6:TheCityofJacksonvillesEnvironmentalQualityDivisionshouldevaluate increasingairqualitymonitoringsites,focusingonhotspots,andmodelingand recommendinglimitsonpollutioncausingactivities.Theseeffortsshouldestablishgoalsthatgo beyondcompliancewithNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards. Results:BecauseofbudgetcuttingdecisionsmadebytheFloridaDepartmentof EnvironmentalProtection(DEP)inMay,2009,JacksonvillesEnvironmentalQualityDivisionwill receivelessStatefundingforitsAmbientAirMonitoringprogramandTitleVfundingthanit previouslyreceived(seeAttachment4).EffortsbytheAirQualityTaskForceurgingDEP SecretaryMichaelSoletoreconsiderfundingcuts(Attachment5)wereonlypartiallysuccessful. Asaresult,atatimewhenadditionalairqualitymonitoringsitesareneededinJacksonvilleas emphasizedinRecommendation6,theeffectofthefundingcutswillinsteadbetoreducetheir number,andpotentialeliminationofanyambientairtoxicworkisprobableinthenearfuture.

AsEbeneezerGujjarlapudi,DirectorofJacksonvillesEnvironmentalComplianceDepartment, saysinhislettertoDirectorSole:Thehistoricalprogressmadebytheuniquecooperative effortsisindangerofbeingcompromised.TheLocalProgramshave,andcontinuetodothe majorityofworkintheStatetoprotectthelargestpopulationsegmentsofthisState.This developmentisextremelydisappointingasitpotentiallydecimatesthecooperativeefforts undertakenhistoricallybytheLocalProgramsandDEP. Clearly,thisisoneofthemostregrettableoutcomesoftheentireAirQualityadvocacyeffort. Despitetheseunfortunatedevelopments,somepositivenewswascreatedaswell.Asaresult oftheTaskForcesconcernthatfineparticulatemattermaybecausinganelevatedlevelof asthmainchildrenwholiveineconomicallydepressedareasinJacksonville,theEnvironmental QualityDivisionsAirMonitoringSectionStaffbuiltaPM2.5monitorandlocateditatan existingsiteinaneconomicallydisadvantagedneighborhood.Todate,thismonitorhasnot registeredlevelsofparticulatematterthatcomeclosetoreachingtheNationalAmbientAir QualityStandard. AresultofcitizenandEnvironmentalProtectionBoardinterest,theEnvironmentalQuality DivisionworkedcloselywiththeFloridaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(FDEP)to successfullylocateamercurymonitoringstationinDuvalCounty.ThisispartofFDEPsthree yearstatewidemercurymonitoringnetworktoassesswaterqualityimpactsfromair deposition.Datawillalsobeusefulbyotherinterestedstakeholdersinassessingpublichealth impacts. Inaddition,despitethecutbacksdescribedabove,theEnvironmentalQualityDivisionfeltitwas importanttoassessthelevelsofozonepresentinthewesternpartofthecitywherenosuch monitoringhadpreviouslybeenundertaken.EQDhassubsequentlyaddedanewozone monitoringsiteonCiscoRoad,bringingtothreethenumberofactiveozonemonitorsinthe city. FinalStatus:Recommendation6NotImplemented Recommendation7:TheFloridaDepartmentofHealthandDuvalCountyHealthDepartment shouldincreasepublichealthstudiesinairqualityhotspotstobetterunderstandthe relationshipbetweenlocalairpollutantsandhealtheffects.Togethertheyshouldincreasetheir publicawarenesscampaignsaboutthehealtheffectsofairpollutants. Results:SubcommitteeC,whichwasassignedthisrecommendation,recognizedearlyintheir deliberationsthateffortshaveneverbeenmadetodeterminespecificairqualityhotspotsin Jacksonville.Intheabsenceofmobileairqualitymonitoringstationsthatcanmovefromone locationtoanother,thereisnowaytoeffectivelygaugethedifferencesinairqualityinvarious partsoftown.Eventhehandfulofpermanentmonitoringstationsofferlittlehelpin establishinghotspotssincetheydonotconsistentlymeasureforthesamepollutants.Thus,
9

askingtheHealthDepartmenttoincreasepublichealthstudiesinairqualityhotspotswasa mootpointsincenooneknowsforcertainwheretheyexist. Asaresult,thedirectiontheSubcommitteetookwastoinvestigatethefeasibilityofconducting aresearchprojectwiththepurposeofdeterminingwhetherthereisacorrelationbetweenday todaychangesinmonitoredozonelevelsinJacksonvilleandthenumberofhospitalemergency roomvisitsrelatedtoasthma.Whileadmittedlyfarfromthescopeoftheresearchproject ultimatelyrequired,thiswouldatleastprovidesomeinsightontheissueandwouldserveto focusattentionontheneedformorecompleteandthoroughresearchonthesubject. Overthecourseofnearlyninemonths,severalmeetingswereconvenedbytheSubcommittee todeterminehowtoaccomplishsuchaproject.Themeetingsinvolvedahighlevelgroupof stakeholders,includingrepresentativesfromtheCitysAirQualityBranch,DuvalCountyHealth Department,thephysicianwhoheadstheDuvalCountyAsthmaCoalition,theUNFComputer andInformationSciencesDepartment,andothers.SubcommitteeCmembersMikeHartman, BerdellKnowles,andChrisRogersworkeddiligentlythroughoutthisperiodinhopesofbringing theresearchprojecttofruition. DailyrecordsofpertinentairqualitydatawereprovidedbytheCity,andtheHealth Departmentcontributedtherequireddataonasthmarelatedhospitaladmissions.Byearly March,2009,itappearedallthedetailswerealignedtomoveforwardwithUNFprovidingthe computerservicesneededtomergethedataandanalyzetheresults.Theworkwouldbe conductedduringUNFssummersessionbygraduatestudentsunderthedirectionofCollegeof EngineeringandComputingprofessor,Dr.BehroozAbbassi. UponreceivingthedataonhospitaladmissionsfromtheHealthDepartment,however,itwas quicklydiscoveredthatitwasnotbrokenoutbydailyadmissions,butratherbyquarterofthe year.Withoutknowinghowmanyasthmarelatedemergencyroomvisitsweremadeeachday, thedataondaytodayairqualityfluctuationswasrenderedofnovalue. So,whiletherewasgreatfrustrationthatthegrouphadcomesofaronlytofaceultimate disappointment,itwasalsorecognizedthatitsdeliberationsandconveningofimportant stakeholdersoverseveralmonthsservedtohighlighttheneedforimportantresearchonthis subjectonasignificantlyhigherlevel.Thegroupfeelsthattheimportantresearchithas proposedneedstobeeventuallyundertaken.Citizenshavearighttoknowwhattheirhealth risksareasurbanredevelopmentbecomesthemajornewtrendinreducinggreenhousegas emissions.SomecredibleairqualityresearchgroupsuchastheNationalScienceFoundation needstoestablishabudgetforsuchresearch. FinalStatus:Recommendation7NotImplemented Recommendation8:Toencouragegreaterdevelopmentanduseofmasstransit,JTAshould: Beauthorizedandassignedcontrolofpublicdowntownoffstreetparking; Worktoendallsubsidiesfordowntownpublicparkingandmovetowardmarketrates;
10

Lowerratesforparkingforhighoccupancyvehicles(carpools); WorkwiththeTransportationPlanningOrganizationtoadvertiseandpromote vanpoolingandcarpoolingthroughoutJacksonville,includingsuburbanofficeareas; Advocateforasufficientlycompletepublictransitsystemandconsideralightrailsystem toencourageandaccommodatemoreridership; Developanewdedicatedsourceofrevenuetobefunneledintomasstransit; Convertexistingparkingstructuresandparkinglotsintocommercial,residential,and officespace;and Offerincentivestobusinessestoprovidealternativestotheuseofsingleoccupant vehicles.

Results:Noprogresswasrealizedregardingrestructuringofdowntownparking.JTAexpressed nointerestregardingauthorizationtocontroldowntownoffstreetparking,andconversionof existingparkingstructuresandlotswerenotconsideredaprioritybyanystakeholders. Progress,however,onothercomponentsofRecommendation8includedthefollowing: TheNorthFloridaTransportationPlanningOrganizationisaggressivelypromoting vanpoolingandcarpoolingthroughoutJacksonville.TheTPOscommuterassistance programhelpscommutersformvanpoolsbyleasingavan,thecostofwhichisshared bytheriders.TPOalsomaintainsadatabaseofnamesmatchingpeopleforcarpoolsif theyliveandworkinthesameareas.Commuterswhojoinacarpoolorvanpoolare coveredbyaservicethatgivesthemfreetaxiridesifunexpectedemergenciesarise duringthedayandtheyneedimmediatetransportation.Convincingpeoplewhohave neverbeforesharedridestoworktodosoremainsthelargestchallengeassociated withcarpoolsandvanpools,evenwhenfolksunderstandthetransportationcostsavings theycanachieve. NorthFloridaTPOandJTAarebothinvestigatingalternativetransitoptionsinthe region,includingcommuterrail,streetcars,extendingtheSkyway,awaterferry,and busrapidtransit.AspartofitsTransportationPlanEnvision2035program,theTPO heldaseriesofworkshopsinAugust,2009,tosolicitpublicopiniononhowtheywould liketoseetransportationevolveoverthenext25years.Oncetheresultsofthe workshopshavebeencompiledandpreferencesforthevariousoptionsareidentified, TPOwillthenconductappropriatefeasibilitystudiesandassembleatransportationplan thatincludesestimatedcostsforallprojectslisted.Afterthetentativeplanis established,TPOwillholdmorepublicmeetingsthisfalltogetadditionalfeedback beforeapprovingafinaldraftbytheendoftheyear.JTAisalreadymovingaheadwith busrapidtransitandisnowreviewingthefeasibilityofcommuterrail.Ithireda consultantinMay,2009,toconductastudyofacommuterrailsystemfromasfarnorth asYuleetoasfarsouthasGreenCoveSpringsandSt.Augustine.Fundingofadditional publictransitoptionsremainsthelargestunansweredquestionmark. FinalStatus:Recommendation8PartiallyImplemented

11

 Recommendation9:TheJacksonvilleRegionalChamberofCommerce,aswellastheother ChambersofCommerce,andtheCityofJacksonvilleasmodelstobusinessesshould encourageandofferincentivestoemployeestousemasstransitandofferfurtheralternatives tosingleoccupantvehiclessuchasvanpoolsandcarpools. Results:DuringtheAirQualityStudyandpriortoit,theNorthFloridaTransportationPlanning Organization(TPO)hadbeenadministeringandactivelymarketingtoemployersandemployees inafivecountyareaacommuterservices/rideshareprogramwithvansandcarpoolstoand fromworkfundedbytheFloridaDepartmentofTransportation. Workingwithbothlargeandsmallemployersandareachambersthroughatargetedoutreach programusingvariouscommunicationstools(includingmedia),theFirstCoastCommuter ServicesimplementedasuccessfulcampaignwiththeMayoClinicwhentheyopenedtheirnew hospitalinApril2008,whichcontinuestoday.WorkingwithvariousMayorepresentativesover severalmonthsandbuildingonacorporatephilosophyofridesharingsincemanyemployees alreadydidso,approximately100carpoolswereofficiallyregisteredintheelectronicdatabase. VariouscarpoolstookthesecondstepofenrollingintheEmergencyRideHomeProgram,which providescabridesatnocosttoparticipantsunderahalfdozenemergencysituations.Mayo addedincentiveparkinginacentrallylocatedandgatedlotattractivetoemployees. TheNorthFloridaTPOcontinuesitsCommuterServicesProgramtoencourageemployersand employeestoconsidercarandvanpoolingandworkswithareaChambersinsharingthe message. FinalStatus:Recommendation9PartiallyImplemented Recommendation10:Toreducevehicleemissionsfromexcessiveandunnecessaryidlingin traffic,theCityofJacksonvilleshouldfollowtheexampleofothersuccessfulcitiesemploying IntelligentTransportationSystemtechnology. Results:AsamemberoftheFirstCoastIntelligentTransportationSystem(ITS)Coalition,the CityofJacksonvilleisfullyengagedinimplementationoftheFirstCoastITSMasterPlan,a collaborativeeffortinvolvingNorthFloridaTPO,JTA,andtheFloridaDepartmentof Transportation. InApril,2006,theITSCoalitionlaunchedastudytodevelopaRegionalITSMasterPlan. Completedinfall,2007,theMasterPlanconsistsoffourparts: ITSOperationalConceptpresentstheregionalmission,vision,goalsandobjectives, andidentifiesthestakeholdersthatplayapartinregionalITSactivities. ITSArchitecturearoadmapfortransportationsystemsintegrationintheFirstCoast regionoverthenext10years.
12

ApproachtoITSProjectPlanningandImplementationdefinesaprocessthatwillbring proposedITSprojectsinthefundingmainstream. 5and10yearImplementationPlanestablishestheplannedITSdeploymentforthe membersoftheCoalitioninthenearandmidtermperiods.

SomeITScomponentshavealreadybeenintroducedinJacksonvilleandafullyfunctionalITS systemwillbeestablishedbytheendoftheimplementationperioddescribedabove(see Attachment6). Onarelatednote,MayorPeytonissuedadirective(Attachment7)onOctober23,2008,toall COJdepartmentheadsanddivisionchiefsincorporatinganoidlingpolicy.Idlingpracticesno longerpermittedunderthenewpolicyare: Idlingforthepurposeofkeepingtheinsideofacityvehiclecooledorheated;or Idlingduringextendedwaits,suchasinstoppedtrafficoratrailroadcrossings. Failuretoadheretothispolicycouldcausetheoperatorinquestion,ataminimum,tolosethe privilegeofusingfleetvehicles. FinalStatus:Recommendation10Implemented

Recommendation11:Intheinterestofthecommunity,theJacksonvillePortAuthorityshould leadapartnershipofcityandstateofficials,JTA,TPO,individualshippingcompanies,andCSX Transportation,FloridaEastCoastRailway,andNorfolkSouthernRailwaycompaniesto cooperateinincreasingrailshipmentanddecreasingshipmentbytrucksfromnewandexisting portstoconserveenergy,decreasemobileemissions,andrelievetrafficcongestionintheport area. Results:Althoughtheprojecthasbeendelayedbecauseofaninternationalcontainertrade slumpstemmingfromtheworldwiderecession,CSXIntermodalInc.andJaxPortremainactively engagedinplanstodevelopanintermodaltransferfacility.Intermodaltransfergivesshipping customersbetteraccessibilitytoraillines,thusreducingtheirtransportcosts.Theuseof intermodal,whichusesmorethanoneformoftransport,isexpectedtoincreaseasmore customersrealizetheeconomicandenvironmentalbenefitsofmovingmaterialsviarail. CompletionofanewHanjinterminalwhichwilldramaticallyincreaseactivityatthePorthas beenpostponedtoaslateasJune2013,soitisnotanticipatedthatanintermodalfacility wouldbebuiltbeforethen.Inaddition,expansionofthePanamaCanalisexpectedtobe completedin2014,permittinglargershipstopassthroughandincreasingtrafficat JacksonvillesPort. ThePortAuthorityhasidentifiedthreepotentialsitesforthefacility,allofwhicharewithina mileorsooftheDamesPointterminals.Anticipatedcostoftheintermodalfacilitywouldbe between$100millionand$120million,andfundinghasyettobepledged.JaxPortExecutive DirectorRickFerrinhasindicated,however,thatifthefacilityisbuiltonPortAuthority
13

property,hewouldseekfederalandstatefundingandalsousemoneysetasideforreducing emissionscausedbytrucking. TraPac,whichoperatesthenewcontainerterminalalreadyinuseatDamesPoint,hopesthat CSXandNorfolkSouthernRailwaycompanieswillultimatelybeabletosharethenew intermodalfacility,thoughitwouldbehighlyunusualfortwocompetingrailroadstodoso.Itis notyetknownwhetherTraPacwouldhelpfundtheproject,butthecompanyisbuildingan intermodalfacilityatitsterminalatthePortofLosAngeles. FinalStatus:Recommendation11PartiallyImplemented Recommendation12:TheFloridaLegislatureshouldestablishaNortheastFloridaRegional TransportationAuthority(orexpandthescopeofJTAthroughouttheregion)andauthorize appropriate,broadbasedregionalfundingmechanismstocreateandimplementregional transportationplans.TheNEFloridaRegionalTransportationAuthorityshouldthoroughly exploretheachievabilityofallmannerofmasstransitincludinglightrail,commuterrail,and waterbornetransportationsystems. Results:Aftermuchdiscussioninrecentyears,theconceptofaregionaltransportation authorityisfinallygainingtractionwithanumberofstakeholdersandelectedofficialsin NortheastFlorida.HelpingtopavethewayfortheJacksonvilleTransportationAuthorityto assumethisrole,theFloridaStateLegislaturerecentlyapprovedabillthatenhancestheability ofJTAtoplananddeveloptransportationprojectsthroughoutNortheastFlorida.Asanagency oftheState,JTAwillnowbeallowedtoenterintopublicprivatepartnershipsandissue revenuebondseitheronitsownorthroughthestatesDivisionofBondFinance. ThenewlawalsodirectsJTAandtheFloridaDepartmentofTransportationtoconducta feasibilitystudyofcreatingaregionaltransportationnetworkinNortheastFlorida.Thestudy, whichmustbecompletedandsenttotheLegislaturebyFebruary,2010,isdesignedtocreatea frameworkforhowaregionaltransportationauthoritywouldwork.ThenewlawalsogivesJTA theabilitytoexpandintomultiplecountiesandpursuecommuterrailandbusrapidtransit throughouttheregion. TheNorthFloridaTransportationPlanningOrganization(TPO)recognizesthataregional transportationauthoritycouldpotentiallyprovideasolutiontodecliningstatetransportation fundingbyissuingbonds,levyingtaxes,andcreatingtollroads.Asaresult,theTPO(an independentagencyresponsiblefordevelopingregionaltransportationplans)supportsa regionaltransportationauthorityandisactivelyadvancingtheconcept. FinalStatus:Recommendation12PartiallyImplemented Recommendation13:TheFloridaLegislatureshouldempowertheNortheastFloridaRegional Councilwithauthoritytocoordinateandenforceregionalplanningincludingtransportation, landuse,andthenaturalenvironment.TheLegislatureshouldprovidetheRegionalCouncil
14

withadedicatedsourceofrevenueforsufficient,broadbasedresourcesandstaffingtoperform theseadditionalfunctionseffectively. Results:NoprogresshasbeenmadewithregardtoformalempowermentbytheState LegislatureoftheNortheastFloridaRegionalCouncil(NEFRC)tocoordinateregionalplanning. SignificantprogressspearheadedbyNEFRCwasmadeoverthepasttwoyears,however,in bringingthesevencountyareatogethertodevelopasharedvisionforthefuture.Inthat sense,theNEFRCisacceptingaleadershippositionsimilartothatenvisionedby Recommendation13,anditisreceivingthesupportoflocalgovernmentandcivicleaders throughouttheregion. NEFRCandUrbanLandInstitutecombinedtoleadanunprecedentedgrowthplanningeffort calledRealityCheckFirstCoastaimedatshapingthewaytheNortheastFloridaregionwilllook inthefuture.Theprojectwasimplementedoverseveralstages,includingonlinesurveys,and sevensimultaneoustownhallmeetingsonMarch23,2009,toprovideanopportunityforthe publicatlargetoparticipate.Thefinalstage,gameday,washeldonMay21,andwasaday longsessioninvolving300civicleaderswhodividedintoworkinggroupsof10andsculpted theirviewoftheregionsfutureusinginterlockingLegoblocks.Theprojectincorporated considerationoftransportation,landuse,andenvironmentalplanning,anditwastheultimate objectiveofeachtabletodeterminewhattheguidingprinciplesforfuturegrowthshouldbe. NEFRCExecutiveDirectorBrianTeepleexplainedthatbyfall2010,theprogramcanbeusedas amodelandastheimpetusofacompactagreeduponbygovernmentsinthesevencounties. Then,hesaid,itwillleadtochangesincountycomprehensiveplansandunitethegoalsofall sevencounties.Neverbeforehadsuchanambitiousplanningprojectbeenattemptedin NortheastFlorida,butintheaftermathofRealityCheck,itbecameclearthatstakeholders throughouttheregionrecognizedtheimportanceofacoordinatedplanningeffortandtherole oftheNEFRCinhelpingtoguideit. FinalStatus:Recommendation13PartiallyImplemented Recommendation14:TheUnitedStatesCongressshouldadoptimprovedCorporateAverage FuelEconomy(CAF)standardstoreducemobileemissionsfrompassengercarsandlight trucks. Results:In2007,CongresspassedtheEnergyIndependenceandSecurityAct(EISA)which prescribedannualfueleconomyincreasesforautomobilesbeginningin2011,resultingina combinedfueleconomyfleetaverageofatleast35milespergallonby2020.Thesestandards werenotasaggressiveasCaliforniaandanumberofotherstates(includingFlorida)preferred, buttheywereprohibitedbytheEPAfromadoptingstricterstandards.Thematterwasin litigationuntilshortlyaftertheObamaadministrationtookoffice,atwhichpointitbecame clearthatimprovedfueleconomystandardswouldbeexpedited.
15

Subsequently,thelawsuitwasdroppedbyCalifornia,andonMay19,2009,theObama administrationannouncedtoughnewstandardsfortailpipeemissions,establishingthefirst nationwideregulationforgreenhousegases.Itwillalsoraisefuelefficiencytargetsto35.5 milespergallonfornewcarsandlighttrucksby2016,fouryearsearlierthanrequiredunder the2007federalenergybill.Thenewstandardswillrequirecarstoaverage39MPG,whilelight truckswillneedtoaverage30MPG. FinalStatus:Recommendation14Implemented

16

Thefollowingindividualsparticipatedinsomeportionortheentireadvocacy periodoftheAirQualityTaskForce.Theirinterest anddedicationaresincerelyappreciated:

DonaldD.Anderson,Chair
SubcommitteeChairs: MaryHayford ScottSkinner ChristiVeleta JayWorley TaskForceMembers: SarahBoren BillLarson DavidBoyer MarciLarson DeniseBunnewith AthenaMann CathyClark MikeMcCarthy CaraConnolly MarkMcCranie BruceDoueck DaveMcLintock JamesGellerQuillaMiralia JenniferGornto StevePace GabeHanson ChrisRogers MikeHartman VinceSeibold PaulSteinbrecher WayneHogan JenniferHolbrook AllenTilley JoanneKazmierski PeggyTilley KarenKempf SusanWhite BerdellKnowles
17

18