OSU/ODEQ PARTNERSHIP FOR CLEAN AIR AND HEALTH ENHANCEMENT
PI – Kenneth J. Williamson, CCEE
Staff: Michael Fernandez, Outreach Specialist, CCEE
Partners – Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and OSU Extension
Service. DEQ will identify particular target audiences in collaboration with OSU
Extension Service and participate in the design of all outreach strategies and specific
outreach activities. OSU Extension Service will conduct all outreach activities.
Situation – There are numerous opportunities for collaboration with DEQ. The first
project to be addressed under this grant would be air quality improvements in the
Portland metropolitan area. DEQ has determined that the Portland metropolitan area has
elevated levels of diesel particulate matter (PM) in ambient air. The burning of diesel
fuel contributes significantly to the generation of particulate matter. PM has been linked
to a number of health effects including lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, increased
incidence and severity of asthma, decreased lung function development in children and
infants, increased hospitalization rates for cardiovascular and respiratory problems, and
an increase in non-specific respiratory symptoms. The very young and the elderly are
particularly susceptible to these effects. DEQ staff have estimated that diesel emissions
cost the state nearly $2 billion dollars per year in direct and indirect public health and
environmental costs. This project will focus on diesel truck fleet operators, tow boat fleet
operators, and other large commercial consumers of diesel fuel.
OSU Extension Service is known as an objective, non-regulatory educational
organization. This objectivity is of particular value in forwarding the goals of a
regulatory agency like DEQ whose success in improving air quality through efforts that
exceed regulatory requirements are sometimes hampered by its regulatory function. The
requisite regulatory connections and outreach expertise currently exist at OSU in the
Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) and Technical Assistance to
Brownfields Communities (TAB) programs in the Department of Civil, Construction, and
Environmental Engineering. TOSC and TAB work closely with DEQ on a number
projects throughout the state and have done so for several years. TOSC and TAB have
worked particularly closely with DEQ on cleanup projects in Portland, Salem, and
Eugene as well as on brownfields issues in Portland. In addition, we will also attempt to
take advantage of College of Engineering relationships with private industry in the
Portland metro area to help make initial contacts with potential industry partners.
Identified Need – The air quality issue was identified through discussions with DEQ
staff. Reducing diesel fuel consumption and emissions from diesel engines would result
in lower particulate matter (PM) concentrations in ambient air and thereby enhance the
health of urban residents who are routinely exposed to the highest PM concentrations in
the state. Urban areas also report high incidence of respiratory illnesses related to high
PM concentrations in air. Previous DEQ efforts have piqued the interest of fleet
operators but to date DEQ has been unable to bring about large scale retrofitting to any
significant extent.
DEQ has also determined that diesel powered farm and construction equipment
contribute greatly to the mass of PM discharged to ambient air due to the lack of emission
controls on these engines. In many cases equipment operators are exposed to even higher
levels of PM and other air pollutants than people who live and work near the site of
equipment operation.
This project will advance the Extension Service goals of promoting health and wellness
and addressing environmental issues.
Proposed Activities – During year one OSU Extension Service will work closely with
DEQ to identify diesel truck fleet operations, tow boat companies, and other users of
large volumes of diesel fuel as potential targets for outreach activities (weeks 1-8).
Outreach efforts will be designed to educate fleet and boat operators about the advantages
of engine retrofitting, to encourage and facilitate retrofitting of diesel engines to run more
efficiently, and to develop a “brand recognition” certification system similar to the
Energy Star and LEED Certification Programs (weeks 9-15) as well as to promote the use
of ultra-low sulfur fuels to further reduce emissions. Outreach efforts will occur during
weeks 16-48. A final evaluation of outreach success will take place during weeks 49-52.
Year two will follow a similar schedule with target agriculture and constructions groups
being identified in weeks 1-8, promotion of emission controls and low sulfur fuels
including biodiesel during weeks 13-48. Final evaluation of this effort will occur during
weeks 49-52.
Planned Outcomes – As mentioned earlier, this project meets OSU Extension Service
health and wellness and environmental goals. We expect that the project will lead to
improved air quality which will in turn lead to improved community health. For the
purposes of this project achievement of the health and wellness enhancement goals will
be measured indirectly. Success in achieving these Extension Service goals will be
measured in terms of numbers of fleet and boat owners contacted, project concepts
developed that result in grant submittals, number vehicles retrofitted, number of pounds
of PM eliminated per year of operation, and any other new criteria identified (if any)
during the project period. It is hoped that the “brand recognition” certification will
influence businesses to give priority to doing business with companies holding this
certification and thus amplify the success. It is also hoped this work will identify other
diesel emissions projects which may be proposed for grant funding.
Sustainability – Staff will pursue grant funding through EPA and the Centers for Disease
Control and seek permanent funding through DEQ as appropriate in order to build upon
the accomplishments of the first two years of this program.
Budget with matching funds – The budget for this project will include 0.5 FTE for one
extension agent for two years (approximately $47,700 per year for 2 years including
OPE). DEQ will contribute $25,000 in matching funds, primarily in the form of staff
salary. Travel will consist of biweekly trips to meet with businesses ($2300 per year for 2
years). The total budget will be approximately $125,000 for two years.