AIR QUALITY

16. Air in North Carolina frequently exceeds the national ozone standard. For example, the Triangle is ranked in the top 20 metropolitan areas in experiencing unhealthy air quality according to the American Lung Association. Much of this increase in air pollution is due to increased motor vehicle traffic in rapidly growing areas of North Carolina, such as the Triangle. What measures would you introduce or support to reduce air pollution in the Triangle, including keeping the number of “Bad Air” days (i.e., those days on which air quality is below EPA standards) to a minimum?

First we should continue with the efforts we've been making in the Triangle. We have actually been making a difference in reducing ozone, according to information that was reported at the 2006 Triangle Air Awareness awards luncheon sponsored by NC Division of Air Quality.

The vision I describe in the Transportation section of this survey will be key reducing miles traveled.

Some specific things the City could do now are: increase support for the Smart Commute Challenge by giving it more publicity, help companies take advantage of the tax breaks for bus passes, look for ways to reduce the miles traveled by city employees while doing their jobs, investigate ways to bring more alternative fuel vehicles into the city fleet. The opportunities are numerous, and I'm sure the Sierra Club members can add even more.