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AIRQUALITYADVOCACYTASKFORCE
_______________________
FINALIMPLEMENTATIONREPORT
November
19,
2009
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AIRQUALITYADVOCACYTASKFORCE:
FINALIMPLEMENTATIONREPORT
NOVEMBER,2009
Summary:
JCCIsAirQualitystudy,chairedbyA.QuintonWhite,Jr.,wasconductedoveraneightmonth
periodandreleasedtothecommunityinJune,2007. Whilerecognizingtheprogress
Jacksonvillehasmadeinovercomingsignificantairpollutionandodorproblemsthatonce
madeitthebruntofnationaljokes,thestudyconcludedthataproactiveapproachto
Jacksonvillesairqualityfutureisstillimperative. Withananticipateddoublinginthecitys
populationby
2030
and
the
predictable
attendant
air
pollution
from
increased
energy
productionandvehicleemissions,itisclearthatwithoutacommunitywideefforttoeffectively
dealwiththeseproblems,thequalityoflife,naturalenvironment,andeconomyofNortheast
Floridawillbeseverelycompromised.
Withthatasabackdrop,theAirQualityAdvocacyTaskForce,undertheleadershipofDonaldD.
Anderson,beganitsworkinJuly,2007. Agroupof34individualsattendedanorientation
meetingandwereinvolvedatvariousstagesofthetwoyearproject,and25participatedfrom
beginningtoend. TheTaskForcewasdividedintofoursubcommitteeswitheachassuming
responsibilityforaminimumofthreeofthestudys14recommendations. ThefullTaskForce
metquarterly,andthesubcommitteesmetseparatelyonnumerousoccasions,includingmany
individualmeetingswithawiderangeofstakeholders,electedofficials,andprominentcivic
leadersthroughoutNortheastFlorida. ComplicatingthechallengesoftheTaskForcewasthe
worldwideeconomicdownturnwhichsharplycurtailedfundingopportunitiesforvarious
projectscontemplatedintherecommendations.
Nonetheless,thisfinalimplementationreportpresentsapositivepictureofsuccess,withseven
oftherecommendationsbeingfullyimplemented,fivepartiallyimplemented,andonlytwonot
implementedatall. AsisfrequentlythecasewithJCCIimplementationprojects,however,
perhapsthemostimportantcontributionoftheTaskForceisthedegreetowhichitelevated
theawarenesslevelthroughoutthecommunityofissuesrelatedtoenvironmental
sustainability. Thisservedasacatalystformanypositivedevelopmentsthatensuedoverthetwoyeartimespan. WhiletheAdvocacyTaskForcecertainlydoesnotclaimdirect
responsibilityforalloftheachievementsthathelpedaddresstherecommendations,weare
confidentthatoureffortswereinstrumentalinbringinggreaterfocustotheseissueswhich
helpedtoinfluencefavorableoutcomes.
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WhentheAirQualityStudywasinitiatedin2007,manynowfamiliartermsorphraseswere
eitherunfamiliarorlargelyignoredintheJacksonvillecommunity,suchas: LEEDgreen
buildingstandards;CFLs;SustainabilityOfficers;EnergyStarappliances;biofuelsand
biomass;andmanyotherexamples. Twoyearslater,thesehavebecomesomuchapartof
commonlexiconthatitseemstheyvealwaysbeenpartofJacksonvillesculture.
ThisisperhapsthemostimportantandlastinglegacyoftheAirQualityproject,andthe
dedicatedmembersoftheAdvocacyTaskForce,whileoftenconductingtheirworkquietlyand
outofthepublicview,deservesignificantcreditforthistransformationofthecommunitys
mindset.
RecommendationsandOutcomesofAdvocacyEfforts:
Recommendation1: TheMayorofJacksonvilleshouldappointaSustainabilityOfficertocoordinate
efforts
to
establish
goals,
objectives,
and
targets
for
air
quality
improvement
and
longrangesustainabilityplans. TheSustainabilityOfficershouldengagetheuniversities,businesses,governmententities,environmentalgroups,andthegeneralpublicandshouldleadtheeffortto:
ExplorethemodelofCoolCitiesandtheMayorsClimateProtectionAgreementanditsobjectivestodevelopandadoptlocalfeasiblegoalsforreducinggreenhousegases;
CreateaplantoaddressclimatechangeimpactsandgreenhousegasesinDuvalCountyincorporatinggoalsandmeasurableoutcomes;
Provideamodelforcitizens,byhavingenergyefficientcompactfluorescentlightbulbs(CFLs)installedinallcityfacilitiesandprovidingaresponsibleCFLdisposalprogram;
Strengthen
the
Environmental
Protection
Boards
role
in
educating
the
general
public,
identifyingenvironmentalproblems,andenforcingcompliancewithinJacksonvilleslongrangesustainabilityplans;and
EngagethecitysvariousCPACandneighborhoodassociationsindevelopingairpollution,health,andenergyconservationawareness.
Results: Byvirtueofanexecutiveorder(Attachment1)signedbyMayorPeytononSeptember26,2008,anOfficeofSustainabilityInitiativeswascreatedfortheCityofJacksonville,alongwiththepositionofSustainabilityOfficer.DerekIgouwasappointedtothenewposition,headingasustainabilityteamof20chiefsanddeputydirectorsfromdifferentCitydepartments.
TheprimaryroleoftheSustainabilityOfficeristooverseetheCityseffortstobecomea
greener,moreenergyefficientcommunity,startingwithCitygovernment. Particular
recognitionisduetoEnvironmentalProtectionBoardchairRobertSchusterwhowasastrong
advocateforthesedevelopmentsandwasinstrumentalinshepherdingthemthroughthe
politicalprocess.
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Otherdevelopmentsinclude:
MayorPeytonsignedtheMayorsClimateProtectionAgreementin2008andisoneof969mayorsnationwidetohavedoneso. TheMayorsClimateProtectionAgreement
seekstoreducecarbonemissionsinparticipatingcitiesbelow1990levels,inlinewith
theKyotoProtocol.
AtMayorPeytonsrequest,theCityofJacksonvilleconductedNavigatorTrainingfordepartmentheadsonSeptember17,2008. FacilitatedbyJohnsonControls,thepurpose
ofthetrainingwastoestablisharoadmapandstrategicplanfortheCityssustainable
practicesprogram.
TheCityofJacksonvilleissystematicallyreplacingoldfluorescentlighttubeswithnewPhilipsAltoIIbulbsinallofitsbuildings. AltoIIisagreen,sustainabletechnology
inventedbyPhilipsthatimprovesenergyefficiencyanddramaticallyreducesthe
amountofmercurypresentinfluorescentbulbs. Thereplacementbulbsbeingusedby
theCityare25wattsratherthanthestandard32wattbulbspreviouslyutilized.
BecausetheAltoIIbulbsaresolowinmercury,theydonotrequirespecialdisposal.
FinalStatus: Recommendation1Implemented Recommendation2: TheJacksonvilleCityCouncilshouldrevisethecitysbuildingcodestoincorporateGreenBuildingStandardstoincreaseenergyefficiency. ItshouldalsoencouragetheinstallationofEnergyStarcompliantappliancesandequipment,followingstandardsoftheFloridaGreenBuildingCoalitionandU.S.GreenBuildingCoalitionsLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED).
Results: AttheurgingoftheAirQualityTaskForce(seeAttachment2),theCityCouncilpassedandMayorPeytonapprovedOrdinance2009211(Attachment3)onApril22,2009,establishing
asustainablegreenbuildingsprogramfortheCityofJacksonville. TheOrdinancestates: Itis
theintentoftheCouncilincreatingthisSustainableBuildingprogramtodemonstratea
substantialcommitmentonthepartoftheCitytofinance,plan,design,construct,manage,
renovate,commission,andmaintainCountyBuildingswithsustainablebuildingstandardsand
tosupportdevelopmentofprivatelyownedbuildingsinJacksonvilletosustainablestandards.
LEED(LeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign)Standardsrepresentthegoldstandard
inthesustainablebuildingindustry,andtherecentlyrenovatedJakeGodboldCityHallAnnexis
thefirstCityownedbuildingtomeetLEEDrequirements. Amongotherdepartments,this
buildingnowhousestheCitysEnvironmentalQualityDivision,which,undertermsofthe
Ordinance,willcoordinateatleastonetrainingworkshopperyearforthepurposeofeducatingCitystaffandcurrentandpotentialparticipantsintheSustainableBuildingProgramonthe
program,itsbenefitsandrequirements.
CompliancewiththeSustainableBuildingsProgramOrdinanceisrequiredforallnewly
constructedcityownedbuildings,includingtheoneservicingAnimalCareandProtective
ServicesandthenewCountyCourthouse. Complianceisvoluntaryforprivateconstruction,but
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aCertificationRefundGrantProgramwasestablishedaspartoftheGreenBuildingsOrdinance
toprovideincentivestoachievegreenbuildingcertificationthroughrefundsoftheactualcost
ofsuchcertification.
FinalStatus: Recommendation2Implemented Recommendation3: TheCityofJacksonvilleandallthevariousAuthorities,JTA,andDuvalCountyPublicSchoolsanditstransportationcontractorsshouldincreasethepercentageoftheirfleetofhybridandalternativefuelvehiclestoreducemobileemissionsandimproveairqualityandtohelpestablishinthecityaninfrastructureforalternativefuelsthatcitizenscanaccess.
Results: Asafirststepinaddressingthisrecommendation,SubcommitteeBoftheAirQualityTaskForceconvenedameetingofseverallocalgovernmentagenciesinNovember,2007,to
discusstheirrespectiveapproachestoalternativefuelvehicleinitiatives. Thediscussion
resultedintherecognitionthatacoordinatedeffortinvolvingtheCityanditsagencieswithan
organizingentity
at
its
helm
would
be
preferable
to
an
incremental
approach.
Afterresearchingexistingprogramsandstructuresthatprovideappropriatesupportforsuch
communitywidecollaborations,itwasdeterminedthatformingalocalchapterofthefederal
CleanCitiesCoalitionshouldbeexplored.
AcomponentoftheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy(DOE),CleanCitieswascreatedin1993topromotethevoluntaryuseoftechnologiesthatwillreducetheuseofpetroleum. Specificallyas
itrelatestoRecommendation3,CleanCitiesadvancestheuseofalternativefuelsandvehicles,
idolreductiontechnologies,hybridelectricvehicles,fuelblends,andotherfueleconomy
measures. CoalitionmemberscommittocertainstipulationsoftheCleanCitiesprogram,
includingconversiontoalternativefuelvehiclesintheirtransportationfleets,andotherspecific
fuelefficiencyprovisions.
WorkinginconcertwithSubcommitteeB,theNorthFloridaTransportationPlanning
Organization(TPO)agreedtoassumetheroleofcoordinatorforalocalCleanCitiesCoalition
chapter. AninformationalmeetingwasheldonJuly9,2008,withrepresentativesfromover30
localstakeholderspresent,includingJTA,JEA,JaxPort,DuvalCountyPublicSchools,large
privatesectoremployers,andnonprofitassociations. Developmentofastrategicplanto
addresstheninestepCleanCitiesapprovalprocessisbeingledbyWandaForrest,longrange
transportationmanagerforNorthFloridaTPO.
OncetheCleanCitieschapterhasbeenestablishedandapprovedbyDOE,itwillprovidethe
basisforacoordinatedandsustainedeffortthroughoutthecommunityforincreaseduseof
hybridandalternativeusevehiclesonalargescale.
FinalStatus: Recommendation3Implemented
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Recommendation4:JEAshouldcontinuetoleadcommunityeducationeffortsonenergyconservation. Forexample,JEAshould:
Expanditseducationprogramsthatprovideconsumerfriendlyinformationandadvanceitsinitiativesonenergyconservationprogramsthattakeintoconsiderationfamilyincome;
Initiateacompactfluorescentlightbulb(CFL)distributionprogramthatincludesaplanforproperCFLdisposal,andpublicizeitssuccess;and
AssisttheCityofJacksonvilleandthevariousAuthoritiestoimprovehowtheirwebsiteshighlightenergyconservationinformationandinitiatives.
Results: Inregardtoeducationprogramsonenergyconservationprograms,JEAhasadoptedanaggressive,innovativeapproachtowhatitperceivesasitsroleinthepromotionofenergy
conservationmethodsintheJacksonvillecommunity. Aspartofitsconservationprogram,JEA
hasinstitutedthefollowing:
EducationFulfillmentProgramanoutreachprogramforallschools(publicandprivate)inJEAsservicearea. Teachersareprovidedwithclassroomresourcespromotingenergyreductiontechniquesandstrategies.
LowIncomeHousingEnergyAssistanceProgramFundedbyJEA,thisprogrameducatestargetedcitizensonenergyefficiency,anditassiststhemwithinstallationofenergy
savingfeatures(caulking,lowflowshowerheads,etc.)toreducetheirenergybills.
CommunityOutreachPresentationsAtitscommunityoutreachforums,JEAprovidesfree6packsofcompactfluorescentlightbulbs(CFLs)tolowincomeandsenior
residentsthroughagrantfromTheCommunityFoundation.
AwarenessCampaignonEnergyConservationJEAconductedanextensivetelevisioncampaignduring2008focusingonenergyconservationandthestepsindividualscan
taketoreducetheircarbonfootprints.
JEAhastakentheleadinattemptingtoestablishaNortheastFloridaEnergyEfficiencyAlliance,thegoalofwhichistodevelopacommunitystrategytoachievesignificant
energysavingsbyretrofittingbuildingsandinstallingrenewabletechnologiesinallend
usesectors. AnorganizationalmeetingwasheldonApril23,2009,andapproximately
30communitystakeholdersattended.
WorkingcloselywiththeTaskForcesSubcommitteeC,JEAinitiatedaCFLdistributionprogram
involvingmorethan170retailersintheJacksonvillearea(seeAttachment8forcomplete
listing).
ACFLdisposalprogramhasalsobeenestablished,withover40retaillocationsavailablefordropoffofusedCFLs.CalledGreenPartners,thisdisposalprogramprovidesnocostdropoffservicestoconsumersandrecoversthemercuryfromthebulbsforreuse(seeAttachment8
forlistingofparticipants).
FinalStatus: Recommendation4Implemented
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Recommendation5: Inordertocontrolgreenhousegasandotheremissions,JEA,asthelargestmunicipallyownedutilityinFlorida,shouldcontinuetoimplementtheirexpressedpurposetoimprovethequalityoflifeinthecommunitiestheyserveby:
Restructuringelectricratestoencourageconservationofenergy; Increasingthepercentageoflocalenergyproductionfromrenewablesources;and Exploringalternativetechnologiessuchasbiomass,solidwasteandnuclearpowerproduction,andcarbonsequestration.
Results: InordertofundJEAscomprehensiveconservationanddemandreductionprograms(whicharedesignedtoreduceelectricconsumptionand,atthesametime,reducetheneedfor
acquiringorconstructingadditionalgeneratingcapacity),theJEABoardenactedaConservation
Charge. Thischarge,intheamountof$0.01perkWhforusageabove2.75kWhinasingle
month,isappliedtoresidentialelectricaccounts. Inadditiontobeingasourceoffundingfor
JEAconservationinitiatives,theConservationChargealsohelpstodiscourageexcessive
residentialelectricconsumption.
JEAsrevisednetmeteringpolicywasimplementedinAugust,2009forcustomerowned
renewablegeneration. Customerownedrenewablegenerationupto100kWhisallowed
underthispolicy. Thecustomergenerationisutilizedtooffsetenergyconsumedbythe
customer. Anymonthlycreditbalancewillbecarriedovertothenextmonthanddisplayedas
partofthemonthlybillingstatement. JEAwillcarryoveracreditbalanceeachmonththrough
theendofthecalendaryear. Ifattheendofthecalendaryearthecustomerselectricaccount
hasacreditbalance,JEAwillpaythecustomertheamountofsuchbalance. Netmetering
customerswillbechargedforthemeteredkWhsenttoJEAeachmonth. Themonetarycredit
tothecustomerwillbecalculatedusingthecustomersretailenergyrate,demand,fuel,
environmentalandconservationcharges(RetailRate)perkWh.
JEAhasanestablishedgoalof7.5%ofitsgeneratingcapacitytobecleanpowerby2015. In
addition,JEAcontinuestoreviewandevaluatefuturegenerationplanninginresponseto
currentstateandfederallegislativeactivitiesproposingmandatesrequiringapercentageof
renewableenergyforelectricgeneratingutilities.
JEAisincreasingthepercentageoflocalenergyproductionfromrenewableresources:
LandfillGas (a)JEAhasutilizedtheCOJNorthLandfillgasasafuelintheNorthsideUnit#3generatingunitandCOJGirvinLandfillgasasafuelinonsiteenginestoproduce
power(indiscussionwithCOJforcontinuanceofgasusage);(b)JEAcommencedthe
receiptof9.1MWsofenergypower(approximately4500homes)fromtheTrailRidgeLandfillgastoenergyfacilitythroughapurchasepoweragreement(PPA)inDecember
2008.
BuckmanWastewaterFacilityJEAutilizestheproducedmethanegastogeneratepower.
SolarPhotovoltaicJEAhasinstalledsolarphotovoltaicsatseveralpublicfacilitiesincludinghighschools,theJacksonvilleZoo,JIA,JacksonvilleChamberofCommerce,etc.
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JEAsignedaPPAwithJacksonvilleSolar,LLC,toreceivetheenergyfroma12.6MW
solarphotovoltaicfarmbeginningin2010.
SolarThermalJEAhasarebateprogramtoassistcustomersintheinstallationofsolarwaterheaters.
WindJEAhasa10MWshareofNebraskaPublicPowerDistrictswindfarmwhereJEAreceivestherenewableenergycreditsforthepowerwhichissoldbacktoNPPD.
Vehicles36%ofJEAsvehiclefleetarepoweredbybiodieselandethanolfuels. UniversityofNorthFloridaLabJEAhassponsoredthislabforresearchandeducation
andpartnerswiththeUniversitytoreceiveengineeringsupportongreenenergy
technologies,suchassolarthermal,wind,biodiesel,hydroelectric,etc.
JEAsprogressonexplorationofalternativetechnologiesincludes:
Conductedastudyforaselfbuildbiomassproject,aswellascofiringbiomassinJEAsexistingsolidfuelfacilities.
JEAcurrentlyisinnegotiationsforaPPAtoreceiveenergyfroma50MWbiomassfacility.
JEAhasestablishedatargetdateof2018foratleast10%ofitsenergyrequirementstobemetbynuclearenergy. JEAisactivelyexploringopportunitiestoacquireownership
positionsinnucleargenerationfacilitiesconstructedandoperatedbyothers;and
possiblePPAs,inwhichJEAwouldpurchasenucleargeneratedenergyfromownersof
nuclearfacilities. JEAsignedaPPAwithMunicipalElectricAuthorityofGeorgia(MEAG)
toreceive200MWsofenergyfromthetobeconstructedMEAGnuclearfacilities.
JEAassessedcarboncaptureandsequestrationfeasibilityandcostswithrespecttotheexistingJEAfleet.
FinalStatus: Recommendation5Implemented Recommendation6: TheCityofJacksonvillesEnvironmentalQualityDivisionshouldevaluateincreasingairqualitymonitoringsites,focusingonhotspots,andmodelingandrecommendinglimitsonpollutioncausingactivities. TheseeffortsshouldestablishgoalsthatgobeyondcompliancewithNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards.
Results: BecauseofbudgetcuttingdecisionsmadebytheFloridaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP)inMay,2009,JacksonvillesEnvironmentalQualityDivisionwill
receivelessStatefundingforitsAmbientAirMonitoringprogramandTitleVfundingthanit
previouslyreceived(seeAttachment4). EffortsbytheAirQualityTaskForceurgingDEP
SecretaryMichaelSoletoreconsiderfundingcuts(Attachment5)wereonlypartiallysuccessful.
Asaresult,atatimewhenadditionalairqualitymonitoringsitesareneededinJacksonvilleas
emphasizedinRecommendation6,theeffectofthefundingcutswillinsteadbetoreducetheirnumber,andpotentialeliminationofanyambientairtoxicworkisprobableinthenearfuture.
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AsEbeneezerGujjarlapudi,DirectorofJacksonvillesEnvironmentalComplianceDepartment,
saysinhislettertoDirectorSole: Thehistoricalprogressmadebytheuniquecooperative
effortsisindangerofbeingcompromised. TheLocalProgramshave,andcontinuetodothe
majorityofworkintheStatetoprotectthelargestpopulationsegmentsofthisState. This
developmentisextremelydisappointingasitpotentiallydecimatesthecooperativeefforts
undertakenhistoricallybytheLocalProgramsandDEP.
Clearly,thisisoneofthemostregrettableoutcomesoftheentireAirQualityadvocacyeffort.
Despitetheseunfortunatedevelopments,somepositivenewswascreatedaswell. Asaresult
oftheTaskForcesconcernthatfineparticulatemattermaybecausinganelevatedlevelof
asthmainchildrenwholiveineconomicallydepressedareasinJacksonville,theEnvironmental
QualityDivisionsAirMonitoringSectionStaffbuiltaPM2.5monitorandlocateditatan
existingsiteinaneconomicallydisadvantagedneighborhood. Todate,thismonitorhasnot
registeredlevelsofparticulatematterthatcomeclosetoreachingtheNationalAmbientAir
QualityStandard.
AresultofcitizenandEnvironmentalProtectionBoardinterest,theEnvironmentalQuality
DivisionworkedcloselywiththeFloridaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(FDEP)to
successfullylocateamercurymonitoringstationinDuvalCounty. ThisispartofFDEPsthree
yearstatewidemercurymonitoringnetworktoassesswaterqualityimpactsfromair
deposition. Datawillalsobeusefulbyotherinterestedstakeholdersinassessingpublichealth
impacts.
Inaddition,despitethecutbacksdescribedabove,theEnvironmentalQualityDivisionfeltitwas
importanttoassessthelevelsofozonepresentinthewesternpartofthecitywherenosuch
monitoringhadpreviouslybeenundertaken. EQDhassubsequentlyaddedanewozonemonitoringsiteonCiscoRoad,bringingtothreethenumberofactiveozonemonitorsinthe
city.
FinalStatus: Recommendation6NotImplemented xRecommendation7: TheFloridaDepartmentofHealthandDuvalCountyHealthDepartmentshouldincreasepublichealthstudiesinairqualityhotspotstobetterunderstandtherelationshipbetweenlocalairpollutantsandhealtheffects. Togethertheyshouldincreasetheirpublicawarenesscampaignsaboutthehealtheffectsofairpollutants.
Results: SubcommitteeC,whichwasassignedthisrecommendation,recognizedearlyintheirdeliberationsthateffortshaveneverbeenmadetodeterminespecificairqualityhotspotsin
Jacksonville. Intheabsenceofmobileairqualitymonitoringstationsthatcanmovefromone
locationtoanother,thereisnowaytoeffectivelygaugethedifferencesinairqualityinvarious
partsoftown. Eventhehandfulofpermanentmonitoringstationsofferlittlehelpin
establishinghotspotssincetheydonotconsistentlymeasureforthesamepollutants. Thus,
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askingtheHealthDepartmenttoincreasepublichealthstudiesinairqualityhotspotswasa
mootpointsincenooneknowsforcertainwheretheyexist.
Asaresult,thedirectiontheSubcommitteetookwastoinvestigatethefeasibilityofconducting
aresearchprojectwiththepurposeofdeterminingwhetherthereisacorrelationbetweenday
todaychangesinmonitoredozonelevelsinJacksonvilleandthenumberofhospitalemergencyroomvisitsrelatedtoasthma. Whileadmittedlyfarfromthescopeoftheresearchproject
ultimatelyrequired,thiswouldatleastprovidesomeinsightontheissueandwouldserveto
focusattentionontheneedformorecompleteandthoroughresearchonthesubject.
Overthecourseofnearlyninemonths,severalmeetingswereconvenedbytheSubcommittee
todeterminehowtoaccomplishsuchaproject. Themeetingsinvolvedahighlevelgroupof
stakeholders,includingrepresentativesfromtheCitysAirQualityBranch,DuvalCountyHealth
Department,thephysicianwhoheadstheDuvalCountyAsthmaCoalition,theUNFComputer
andInformationSciencesDepartment,andothers. SubcommitteeCmembersMikeHartman,
BerdellKnowles,andChrisRogersworkeddiligentlythroughoutthisperiodinhopesofbringing
theresearchprojecttofruition.
DailyrecordsofpertinentairqualitydatawereprovidedbytheCity,andtheHealth
Departmentcontributedtherequireddataonasthmarelatedhospitaladmissions. Byearly
March,2009,itappearedallthedetailswerealignedtomoveforwardwithUNFprovidingthe
computerservicesneededtomergethedataandanalyzetheresults. Theworkwouldbe
conductedduringUNFssummersessionbygraduatestudentsunderthedirectionofCollegeof
EngineeringandComputingprofessor,Dr.BehroozAbbassi.
UponreceivingthedataonhospitaladmissionsfromtheHealthDepartment,however,itwas
quicklydiscoveredthatitwasnotbrokenoutbydailyadmissions,butratherbyquarteroftheyear. Withoutknowinghowmanyasthmarelatedemergencyroomvisitsweremadeeachday,
thedataondaytodayairqualityfluctuationswasrenderedofnovalue.
So,whiletherewasgreatfrustrationthatthegrouphadcomesofaronlytofaceultimate
disappointment,itwasalsorecognizedthatitsdeliberationsandconveningofimportant
stakeholdersoverseveralmonthsservedtohighlighttheneedforimportantresearchonthis
subjectonasignificantlyhigherlevel. Thegroupfeelsthattheimportantresearchithas
proposedneedstobeeventuallyundertaken. Citizenshavearighttoknowwhattheirhealth
risksareasurbanredevelopmentbecomesthemajornewtrendinreducinggreenhousegas
emissions.Some
credible
air
quality
research
group
such
as
the
National
Science
Foundation
needstoestablishabudgetforsuchresearch.
FinalStatus: Recommendation7NotImplemented xRecommendation8: Toencouragegreaterdevelopmentanduseofmasstransit,JTAshould:
Beauthorizedandassignedcontrolofpublicdowntownoffstreetparking; Worktoendallsubsidiesfordowntownpublicparkingandmovetowardmarketrates;
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Lowerratesforparkingforhighoccupancyvehicles(carpools); WorkwiththeTransportationPlanningOrganizationtoadvertiseandpromote
vanpoolingandcarpoolingthroughoutJacksonville,includingsuburbanofficeareas;
Advocateforasufficientlycompletepublictransitsystemandconsideralightrailsystemtoencourageandaccommodatemoreridership;
Developanewdedicatedsourceofrevenuetobefunneledintomasstransit; Convertexistingparkingstructuresandparkinglotsintocommercial,residential,and
officespace;and
Offerincentivestobusinessestoprovidealternativestotheuseofsingleoccupantvehicles.
Results: Noprogresswasrealizedregardingrestructuringofdowntownparking. JTAexpressednointerestregardingauthorizationtocontroldowntownoffstreetparking,andconversionof
existingparkingstructuresandlotswerenotconsideredaprioritybyanystakeholders.
Progress,however,onothercomponentsofRecommendation8includedthefollowing: TheNorthFloridaTransportationPlanningOrganizationisaggressivelypromoting
vanpoolingandcarpoolingthroughoutJacksonville. TheTPOscommuterassistance
programhelpscommutersformvanpoolsbyleasingavan,thecostofwhichisshared
bytheriders. TPOalsomaintainsadatabaseofnamesmatchingpeopleforcarpoolsif
theyliveandworkinthesameareas. Commuterswhojoinacarpoolorvanpoolare
coveredbyaservicethatgivesthemfreetaxiridesifunexpectedemergenciesarise
duringthedayandtheyneedimmediatetransportation. Convincingpeoplewhohave
neverbeforesharedridestoworktodosoremainsthelargestchallengeassociated
withcarpoolsandvanpools,evenwhenfolksunderstandthetransportationcostsavings
theycanachieve.
NorthFloridaTPOandJTAarebothinvestigatingalternativetransitoptionsintheregion,includingcommuterrail,streetcars,extendingtheSkyway,awaterferry,and
busrapidtransit. AspartofitsTransportationPlanEnvision2035program,theTPOheldaseriesofworkshopsinAugust,2009,tosolicitpublicopiniononhowtheywould
liketoseetransportationevolveoverthenext25years. Oncetheresultsofthe
workshopshavebeencompiledandpreferencesforthevariousoptionsareidentified,
TPOwillthenconductappropriatefeasibilitystudiesandassembleatransportationplan
thatincludesestimatedcostsforallprojectslisted. Afterthetentativeplanis
established,TPOwillholdmorepublicmeetingsthisfalltogetadditionalfeedback
beforeapprovingafinaldraftbytheendoftheyear. JTAisalreadymovingaheadwith
busrapidtransitandisnowreviewingthefeasibilityofcommuterrail. IthiredaconsultantinMay,2009,toconductastudyofacommuterrailsystemfromasfarnorth
asYuleetoasfarsouthasGreenCoveSpringsandSt.Augustine. Fundingofadditional
publictransitoptionsremainsthelargestunansweredquestionmark.
FinalStatus: Recommendation8PartiallyImplemented
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Recommendation9: TheJacksonvilleRegionalChamberofCommerce,aswellastheotherChambersofCommerce,andtheCityofJacksonvilleasmodelstobusinessesshouldencourageandofferincentivestoemployeestousemasstransitandofferfurtheralternatives
tosingle
occupant
vehicles
such
as
vanpools
and
carpools.
Results: DuringtheAirQualityStudyandpriortoit,theNorthFloridaTransportationPlanningOrganization(TPO)hadbeenadministeringandactivelymarketingtoemployersandemployees
inafivecountyareaacommuterservices/rideshareprogramwithvansandcarpoolstoand
fromworkfundedbytheFloridaDepartmentofTransportation.
Workingwithbothlargeandsmallemployersandareachambersthroughatargetedoutreach
programusingvariouscommunicationstools(includingmedia),theFirstCoastCommuter
ServicesimplementedasuccessfulcampaignwiththeMayoClinicwhentheyopenedtheirnew
hospitalinApril2008,whichcontinuestoday. WorkingwithvariousMayorepresentativesover
severalmonthsandbuildingonacorporatephilosophyofridesharingsincemanyemployees
alreadydidso,approximately100carpoolswereofficiallyregisteredintheelectronicdatabase.
VariouscarpoolstookthesecondstepofenrollingintheEmergencyRideHomeProgram,which
providescabridesatnocosttoparticipantsunderahalfdozenemergencysituations. Mayo
addedincentiveparkinginacentrallylocatedandgatedlotattractivetoemployees.
TheNorthFloridaTPOcontinuesitsCommuterServicesProgramtoencourageemployersand
employeestoconsidercarandvanpoolingandworkswithareaChambersinsharingthe
message.
FinalStatus: Recommendation9PartiallyImplemented Recommendation10: Toreducevehicleemissionsfromexcessiveandunnecessaryidlingintraffic,theCityofJacksonvilleshouldfollowtheexampleofothersuccessfulcitiesemployingIntelligentTransportationSystemtechnology.
Results: AsamemberoftheFirstCoastIntelligentTransportationSystem(ITS)Coalition,theCityofJacksonvilleisfullyengagedinimplementationoftheFirstCoastITSMasterPlan,a
collaborativeeffortinvolvingNorthFloridaTPO,JTA,andtheFloridaDepartmentof
Transportation.
InApril,2006,theITSCoalitionlaunchedastudytodevelopaRegionalITSMasterPlan.
Completedinfall,2007,theMasterPlanconsistsoffourparts:
ITSOperationalConceptpresentstheregionalmission,vision,goalsandobjectives,andidentifiesthestakeholdersthatplayapartinregionalITSactivities.
ITSArchitecturearoadmapfortransportationsystemsintegrationintheFirstCoastregionoverthenext10years.
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ApproachtoITSProjectPlanningandImplementationdefinesaprocessthatwillbringproposedITSprojectsinthefundingmainstream.
5 and10yearImplementationPlanestablishestheplannedITSdeploymentforthemembersoftheCoalitioninthenear andmidtermperiods.
SomeITScomponentshavealreadybeenintroducedinJacksonvilleandafullyfunctionalITSsystemwillbeestablishedbytheendoftheimplementationperioddescribedabove(see
Attachment6).
Onarelatednote,MayorPeytonissuedadirective(Attachment7)onOctober23,2008,toall
COJdepartmentheadsanddivisionchiefsincorporatinganoidlingpolicy. Idlingpracticesno
longerpermittedunderthenewpolicyare:
Idlingforthepurposeofkeepingtheinsideofacityvehiclecooledorheated;or Idlingduringextendedwaits,suchasinstoppedtrafficoratrailroadcrossings.
Failuretoadheretothispolicycouldcausetheoperatorinquestion,ataminimum,tolosethe
privilegeofusingfleetvehicles.
FinalStatus: Recommendation10Implemented Recommendation11: Intheinterestofthecommunity,theJacksonvillePortAuthorityshouldleadapartnershipofcityandstateofficials,JTA,TPO,individualshippingcompanies,andCSXTransportation,FloridaEastCoastRailway,andNorfolkSouthernRailwaycompaniestocooperateinincreasingrailshipmentanddecreasingshipmentbytrucksfromnewandexistingportstoconserveenergy,decreasemobileemissions,andrelievetrafficcongestionintheportarea.
Results: Althoughtheprojecthasbeendelayedbecauseofaninternationalcontainertradeslumpstemmingfromtheworldwiderecession,CSXIntermodalInc.andJaxPortremainactively
engagedinplanstodevelopanintermodaltransferfacility. Intermodaltransfergivesshipping
customersbetteraccessibilitytoraillines,thusreducingtheirtransportcosts. Theuseof
intermodal,whichusesmorethanoneformoftransport,isexpectedtoincreaseasmore
customersrealizetheeconomicandenvironmentalbenefitsofmovingmaterialsviarail.
CompletionofanewHanjinterminalwhichwilldramaticallyincreaseactivityatthePorthas
beenpostponedtoaslateasJune2013,soitisnotanticipatedthatanintermodalfacility
wouldbebuiltbeforethen. Inaddition,expansionofthePanamaCanalisexpectedtobe
completedin2014,permittinglargershipstopassthroughandincreasingtrafficatJacksonvillesPort.
ThePortAuthorityhasidentifiedthreepotentialsitesforthefacility,allofwhicharewithina
mileorsooftheDamesPointterminals. Anticipatedcostoftheintermodalfacilitywouldbe
between$100millionand$120million,andfundinghasyettobepledged. JaxPortExecutive
DirectorRickFerrinhasindicated,however,thatifthefacilityisbuiltonPortAuthority
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property,hewouldseekfederalandstatefundingandalsousemoneysetasideforreducing
emissionscausedbytrucking.
TraPac,whichoperatesthenewcontainerterminalalreadyinuseatDamesPoint,hopesthat
CSXandNorfolkSouthernRailwaycompanieswillultimatelybeabletosharethenew
intermodalfacility,thoughitwouldbehighlyunusualfortwocompetingrailroadstodoso.ItisnotyetknownwhetherTraPacwouldhelpfundtheproject,butthecompanyisbuildingan
intermodalfacilityatitsterminalatthePortofLosAngeles.
FinalStatus: Recommendation11PartiallyImplemented Recommendation12: TheFloridaLegislatureshouldestablishaNortheastFloridaRegionalTransportationAuthority(orexpandthescopeofJTAthroughouttheregion)andauthorizeappropriate,broadbasedregionalfundingmechanismstocreateandimplementregionaltransportationplans. TheNEFloridaRegionalTransportationAuthorityshouldthoroughlyexploretheachievabilityofallmannerofmasstransitincludinglightrail,commuterrail,andwaterbornetransportationsystems.
Results: Aftermuchdiscussioninrecentyears,theconceptofaregionaltransportationauthorityisfinallygainingtractionwithanumberofstakeholdersandelectedofficialsin
NortheastFlorida. HelpingtopavethewayfortheJacksonvilleTransportationAuthorityto
assumethisrole,theFloridaStateLegislaturerecentlyapprovedabillthatenhancestheability
ofJTAtoplananddeveloptransportationprojectsthroughoutNortheastFlorida. Asanagency
oftheState,JTAwillnowbeallowedtoenterintopublicprivatepartnershipsandissue
revenuebondseitheronitsownorthroughthestatesDivisionofBondFinance.
ThenewlawalsodirectsJTAandtheFloridaDepartmentofTransportationtoconductafeasibilitystudyofcreatingaregionaltransportationnetworkinNortheastFlorida. Thestudy,
whichmustbecompletedandsenttotheLegislaturebyFebruary,2010,isdesignedtocreatea
frameworkforhowaregionaltransportationauthoritywouldwork. ThenewlawalsogivesJTA
theabilitytoexpandintomultiplecountiesandpursuecommuterrailandbusrapidtransit
throughouttheregion.
TheNorthFloridaTransportationPlanningOrganization(TPO)recognizesthataregional
transportationauthoritycouldpotentiallyprovideasolutiontodecliningstatetransportation
fundingbyissuingbonds,levyingtaxes,andcreatingtollroads. Asaresult,theTPO(an
independentagency
responsible
for
developing
regional
transportation
plans)
supports
a
regionaltransportationauthorityandisactivelyadvancingtheconcept.
FinalStatus: Recommendation12PartiallyImplemented Recommendation13: TheFloridaLegislatureshouldempowertheNortheastFloridaRegionalCouncilwithauthoritytocoordinateandenforceregionalplanningincludingtransportation,landuse,andthenaturalenvironment. TheLegislatureshouldprovidetheRegionalCouncil
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withadedicatedsourceofrevenueforsufficient,broadbasedresourcesandstaffingtoperformtheseadditionalfunctionseffectively.
Results: NoprogresshasbeenmadewithregardtoformalempowermentbytheStateLegislatureoftheNortheastFloridaRegionalCouncil(NEFRC)tocoordinateregionalplanning.
SignificantprogressspearheadedbyNEFRCwasmadeoverthepasttwoyears,however,in
bringingthesevencountyareatogethertodevelopasharedvisionforthefuture. Inthat
sense,theNEFRCisacceptingaleadershippositionsimilartothatenvisionedby
Recommendation13,anditisreceivingthesupportoflocalgovernmentandcivicleaders
throughouttheregion.
NEFRCandUrbanLandInstitutecombinedtoleadanunprecedentedgrowthplanningeffort
calledRealityCheckFirstCoastaimedatshapingthewaytheNortheastFloridaregionwilllookinthefuture. Theprojectwasimplementedoverseveralstages,includingonlinesurveys,and
sevensimultaneoustownhallmeetingsonMarch23,2009,toprovideanopportunityforthe
publicatlargetoparticipate. Thefinalstage,gameday,washeldonMay21,andwasaday
longsessioninvolving300civicleaderswhodividedintoworkinggroupsof10andsculpted
theirviewoftheregionsfutureusinginterlockingLegoblocks. Theprojectincorporated
considerationoftransportation,landuse,andenvironmentalplanning,anditwastheultimate
objectiveofeachtabletodeterminewhattheguidingprinciplesforfuturegrowthshouldbe.
NEFRCExecutiveDirectorBrianTeepleexplainedthatbyfall2010,theprogramcanbeusedas
amodelandastheimpetusofacompactagreeduponbygovernmentsinthesevencounties.
Then,hesaid,itwillleadtochangesincountycomprehensiveplansandunitethegoalsofall
sevencounties. Neverbeforehadsuchanambitiousplanningprojectbeenattemptedin
NortheastFlorida,butintheaftermathofRealityCheck,itbecameclearthatstakeholders
throughouttheregionrecognizedtheimportanceofacoordinatedplanningeffortandtherole
oftheNEFRCinhelpingtoguideit.
FinalStatus: Recommendation13PartiallyImplemented Recommendation14: TheUnitedStatesCongressshouldadoptimprovedCorporateAverageFuelEconomy(CAF)standardstoreducemobileemissionsfrompassengercarsandlighttrucks.
Results:In
2007,
Congress
passed
the
Energy
Independence
and
Security
Act
(EISA)
which
prescribedannualfueleconomyincreasesforautomobilesbeginningin2011,resultingina
combinedfueleconomyfleetaverageofatleast35milespergallonby2020. Thesestandards
werenotasaggressiveasCaliforniaandanumberofotherstates(includingFlorida)preferred,
buttheywereprohibitedbytheEPAfromadoptingstricterstandards. Thematterwasin
litigationuntilshortlyaftertheObamaadministrationtookoffice,atwhichpointitbecame
clearthatimprovedfueleconomystandardswouldbeexpedited.
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Subsequently,thelawsuitwasdroppedbyCalifornia,andonMay19,2009,theObama
administrationannouncedtoughnewstandardsfortailpipeemissions,establishingthefirst
nationwideregulationforgreenhousegases. Itwillalsoraisefuelefficiencytargetsto35.5
milespergallonfornewcarsandlighttrucksby2016,fouryearsearlierthanrequiredunder
the2007federalenergybill. Thenewstandardswillrequirecarstoaverage39MPG,whilelight
truckswillneedtoaverage30MPG.
FinalStatus: Recommendation14Implemented
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ThefollowingindividualsparticipatedinsomeportionortheentireadvocacyperiodoftheAirQualityTaskForce. Theirinterest
anddedicationaresincerelyappreciated:DonaldD.Anderson,Chair
SubcommitteeChairs:
MaryHayfordScottSkinnerChristiVeletaJayWorley
TaskForceMembers:
SarahBoren BillLarson
DavidBoyer MarciLarsonDeniseBunnewith AthenaMann
CathyClark MikeMcCarthy
CaraConnolly MarkMcCranie
BruceDoueck DaveMcLintock
JamesGeller QuillaMiralia
JenniferGornto StevePace
GabeHanson ChrisRogers
MikeHartman VinceSeibold
WayneHogan PaulSteinbrecherJenniferHolbrook AllenTilley
JoanneKazmierski PeggyTilley
KarenKempf SusanWhite
BerdellKnowles
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