With grant money from the EPA, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has begun work on a regional Air Quality Improvement Plan (AQIP) for the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. According to the NCTCOG, the goal of the AQIP is to “create a roadmap for the region to improve air quality, protect public health, and reduce impacts of extreme weather events.” This initial phase will focus on gathering input from stakeholders and developing a plan to become eligible to access an additional $4.6 billion from the EPA for implementation. The plan, which will be available by March 1, will contain the following per the NCTCOG:
Individuals or businesses that would like to make their voice heard in the planning process have three different avenues to learn more and provide input:
WHY IT MATTERS:
Air quality is a quality-of-life issue for Fort Worth residents, and businesses are impacted by severe weather. Property owners, both residential and commercial, could be subjected to higher property insurance costs brought on by increases in severe weather. Businesses will also be subject to any new regulations that are implemented as a result of the plan’s findings and proposals.
QUICK FACTS:
According to the Office of the Texas State Climatologist at Texas A&M University, the average number of 100-degree days in North Central Texas has increased significantly since the 1980s. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas estimates that a 1-degree increase in average summer temperature results in a 0.4% decrease in Texas’ nominal GDP growth.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
National
State and Local
UPCOMING DATES
