Breathing Clean

Improving Air Quality and Encouraging Economic Growth
in Central Oklahoma

ACOG works in partnership and cooperation with local, state and federal partners including U.S. EPA to help ensure air quality standards for the Central Oklahoma region. ACOG’s work on behalf of the people of Central Oklahoma includes technical research including air quality monitoring, emissions inventory development, data analysis, modeling, and pollution control strategy evaluation.

The impact of transportation on Central Oklahoma’s quality air is a component of ACOG’s regional planning efforts. Since the establishment of comprehensive federal and state emission regulations by the 1970 Clean Air Act, research has continued to demonstrate the deep relationship between public health and air quality.

While ACOG is not a regulatory body and has no enforcement capabilities, it does work to assure compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards through a variety of programs which serve to educate and affect the public’s capacity to work towards improved air quality in Central Oklahoma.

How you can help prevent nonattainment for Central Oklahoma

Risks of Nonattainment

The Oklahoma City area is at risk of being designated as a Nonattainment area by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to high ground-level ozone concentrations. Such a designation, required under the Clean Air Act for areas violating Ozone Standards, imposes strict regulatory requirements aimed at reducing air pollution. While these measures benefit public health, they come with significant economic costs, potentially impacting billions of dollars in transportation and development projects. Additionally, businesses may avoid locating in Nonattainment areas due to increased regulatory burdens, affecting the region's economic competitiveness.

The Cost of Nonattainment Study for the Oklahoma City Area explores these potential impacts, offering insights into how a Nonattainment designation could affect the local economy and transportation initiatives. To avoid these challenges, communities in the Oklahoma City region can take proactive steps to reduce ozone-forming emissions now, preserving public health and safeguarding the regional economy from the consequences of regulatory action.

Oklahoma City Metro is facing Nonattainment.

A recent study shows that a violation of federal air quality standards and ensuing federal regulatory requirements could cost the Oklahoma City–Shawnee Combined Statistical Area (CSA) as much as $9.6-$15.2 billion over a 20-30 year period.

Cost of Nonattainment

Due to the near violation of the Ozone Standard in recent years, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) has undertaken this study to help its regional stakeholders better understand the regulatory and economic risks associated with a nonattainment designation, and the corresponding potential benefits of taking action to avoid an Ozone nonattainment designation.

The $9.5-$15.2 billion in economic costs identified in this study reinforce the urgent need for the Oklahoma City area to remain in attainment of the Ozone Standard. Failure to do so will result in the saddling of businesses, government agencies, and individuals with increased construction costs, delayed road projects, and new regulatory requirements.

  • Take Mass Transit

    The average driver spends about 64 cents per mile to drive their personal vehicle, including ownership and maintenance. By opting to take public transit or carpooling just once a week, you’ll save money and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Fewer vehicles on the road mean fewer sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOX). A reduction in these ozone-forming components may result in an overall improvement of the local air quality

  • Combine Errands - Trip Chain

    Chances are, you’re already trip-chaining by combining your errands into one trip. It helps you get things done and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

  • Ride Your Bike

    Transportation accounts for 29 percent of all air pollution nationwide; ride a bike or walk for short trips during morning hours when ozone levels are lower.

  • Walk Instead of Ride

    Walk or skate instead of driving! These modes of transportation are easy ways to get exercise and they’re easy on the air.

  • Care for your Car

    Regular maintenance, tune-ups, oil changes, and checking tire pressure can improve gas mileage, extend your car’s life, and increase its resale value. It can also reduce traffic congestion by preventing breakdowns and lead to reduced emissions.

  • Fuel When It's Cool

    SKIP FUELING ON OZONE ALERT DAYS! Refueling during cooler periods of the day (morning/evening) can prevent gas fumes from heating up and creating ozone. This is essential to practice on air alert days when high ozone levels may be present.

  • Don't Top Off The Tank

    Topping off your tank releases gas fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the car’s antipollution equipment. This practice is also dangerous because it can lead to spills, with gasoline either getting on your body, clothes, or on the ground. Stopping short of a full tank is safer and it reduces pollution.

  • Telecommute - Work from Home

    Work from home if possible. You’ll save time and money while reducing emissions and traffic congestion.

  • Know Before You Go

    Be in the know about traffic in your area: tune into your local radio for traffic reports, watch local news, or map your route via smartphone application. Get traffic updates before you leave home and you won’t get stuck in a traffic jam, preventing your car from running/idling longer than necessary.

  • Avoid Drive Thru - Go Inside

    Idling your vehicle for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and emits more CO2 than turning off and restarting your engine. Every time you use a drive-thru window you waste gas, money, and emit air pollution by idling. Do your part! Next time you are at a fastfood restaurant, ATM, bank, or other location with a drive-thru, go inside instead.

  • Climate Change

    Communities are identified as disadvantaged if they are in census tracts that:

    ARE at or above the 90th percentile for expected agriculture loss rate OR expected building loss rate OR expected population loss rate OR projected flood risk OR projected wildfire risk

    AND are at or above the 65th percentile for low income

  • Energy

    Communities are identified as disadvantaged if they are in census tracts that:

    ARE at or above the 90th percentile for energy cost OR PM2.5 in the air

    AND are at or above the 65th percentile for low income

  • Health

    Communities are identified as disadvantaged if they are in census tracts that:

    ARE at or above the 90th percentile for asthma OR diabetes OR heart disease OR low life expectancy

    AND are at or above the 65th percentile for low income

  • Housing

    Communities are identified as disadvantaged if they are in census tracts that:

    Experienced historic underinvestment OR are at or above the 90th percentile for housing cost OR lack of green space OR lack of indoor plumbing OR lead paint

    AND are at or above the 65th percentile for low income

  • Legacy Pollution

    Communities are identified as disadvantaged if they are in census tracts that:

    Have at least one abandoned mine land OR Formerly Used Defense Sites OR are at or above the 90th percentile for proximity to hazardous waste facilities OR proximity to Superfund sites National Priorities List (NPL) OR proximity to Risk Management Plan (RMP) facilities

    AND are at or above the 65th percentile for low income

  • Transportation

    Communities are identified as disadvantaged if they are in census tracts that:

    ARE at or above the 90th percentile for diesel particulate matter exposure OR transportation barriers OR traffic proximity and volume

    AND are at or above the 65th percentile for low income

  • Water and Wastewater

    Communities are identified as disadvantaged if they are in census tracts that:

    ARE at or above the 90th percentile for underground storage tanks and releases OR wastewater discharge

    AND are at or above the 65th percentile for low income

  • Workforce Development

    Communities are identified as disadvantaged if they are in census tracts that:

    ARE at or above the 90th percentile for linguistic isolation OR low median income OR poverty OR unemployment

    AND more than 10% of people ages 25 years or older whose high school education is less than a high school diplomaDescription goes here