DRAFT REVISED MEMORANDUM
FROM: RAQPC PM Task Force
TO: RAQPC Committee Members
RE: PM Advance Program Voluntary Participation
DATE: May 30, 2013
Overall Program Objective
The Particulate Matter (PM) Advance Program is a voluntary, collaborative effort, established by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to assist states, tribes, and local governments
in attainment areas to continue to meet the new PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS) (12 μg/m3) which was made effective December 14, 2012. PM Advance is intended
to preserve or improve the air quality in areas, particularly those that are close to or at risk of
exceeding the new standard on a voluntary basis. The program intends for local government to
work with key stakeholders to understand local air quality issues and implement near-term
initiatives that maintain and/or improve ambient PM 2.5 levels. Voluntary participation in PM
Advance will not create or remove any statutory or regulatory requirements for each
participating area but serves as a framework for early action in meeting the 2012 PM 2.5
NAAQS standard. EPA’s role in this program will be to facilitate information sharing and
provide available tools, data and other resources to benefit the Local Program.
Mission of the Local Program
The mission is to voluntarily identify, expand and improve PM reduction efforts (both existing
programs and future collaborative opportunities) within the region. Voluntary participation in
PM Advance will provide a voluntary opportunity for stakeholders to promote clean air
initiatives in our region.
Current Status of PM
Houston Galveston Brazoria (HGB) air monitoring data collected, compiled, and validated by the
Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) identifies the certified PM 2.5 annual
design value for 2010-2012 as 12.1 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3)1. EPA designations for
2012 PM2.5 NAAQS will occur on December 12, 2014. Air monitoring data can be retrieved
from the TCEQ Texas Air Monitoring Information System (TAMIS) web:
http://www5.tceq.state.tx.us/tamis/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.welcome .
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If all seven proposed exceptional events are concurred by EPA, the 2010-2012 annual design value will be 12.0 ug/m3 and
compliant. At the very least, we must obtain concurrence on all four of the 2010-2011 events OR for all four of the 2011-2012
events in order for the 2010-2012 design value to show compliance with 12.0 ug/m3. Clinton would also show compliance for
2010-2012 if at least five of the six events from 2010 and 2012 are concurred.
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Pros & Cons
Although there are limited resources associated with this voluntary program, voluntary
participation can better position an area to comply with future requirements associated with a
nonattainment designation. In addition, emission reduction actions undertaken as part of the
voluntary program could receive consideration in the State Implementation Plan (SIP) if an area
is eventually designated nonattainment (either by reflecting a lower baseline or showing progress
towards attainment).
These Pros and Cons were developed by the PM Advance Taskforce in March 2012.
Voluntary Program Scope
Participation in PM Advance program allows the region to create a collaborative platform to
address PM reductions concerns within the region. It is anticipated that program participants
could include, but not limited to, local and regional government agencies, citizen and
environmental groups, and business and industry-based organizations. Program participants will
work together to develop a “Path Forward” which describes measures and/or programs to reduce
PM within the area and provide an implementation timeline.
In development of the PM Advance group and a subsequent “Path Forward,” stakeholders could
contribute in the following areas:




Administration/Coordination
Taskforce and Stakeholder meeting participation
Promotion/Marketing/Outreach
Data collection and quantification
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

Identification of existing and potential PM control measures
Advisory/Technical Expert
Anticipated Next Steps
Upon H-GAC Board approval, staff will distribute voluntary participation letters to potential
partners. Upon completing this step, H-GAC will submit a program sign-up letter naming
voluntary participants to the EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. Following
acceptance in the program, H-GAC will work with program partners on the “Path Forward”
implementation plan.
Program participation is completely voluntary and can be withdrawn at any point in time.
PM Advance Timeline
Participation Letter
PM Advance Sign Up Letter (see template)
Ongoing work of PM Advance Taskforce
 Series of scoping meetings
 Review available information
 Identify potential stakeholders/partner groups
 Identify existing programs/measures
 Brainstorm potential new measures/partnerships
 Discuss marketing/communications
Series of Taskforce and Stakeholder meetings (ongoing)
Compile Stakeholder Input/Recommendations
Draft Plan/’Path Forward’
Present Recommendations and Plan/’Path Forward’
Implement/Track ‘Path Forward’ Efforts
Dec 2013 – States Recommendations on 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS
Submit Plan/’Path Forward’ to EPA (submit to EPA within 1 year of Sign Up Letter)
Dec 2014 – Final Designations for PM2.5 NAAQS
Status Update to EPA -Informal summary of areas measures/programs
List of PM Reduction Projects – See attached.
Thank you in advance for your timely review of this material.
Source: * http://www.tceq.texas.gov/cgi-bin/compliance/monops/yearly_summary.pl
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