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• In addition to our efforts to address 1-hour ozone nonattainment, we are tracking
USEPA's actions regarding 8-hour ozone implementation policy. The ozone program
includes all activities relative to ozone, from monitoring to rulemaking to
participation in subregional assessments of ozone to operation of the enhanced
vehicle emissions testing program to voluntary measures through the Partners for
Clean Air Program and the Clean Air Counts Campaigns.
• The Bureau has submitted to Region 5 its proposed nonattainment designations for
the new 8-hour ozone standard. The proposed designations are essentially the same
as the Metro-East and Chicago 1-hour nonattainment areas, although Jersey County is
included in the proposed Metro-East 8-hour nonattainment area. These same areas of
the State (excluding Jersey County) are exceeding the new PM2.5 standard based on
2000, 2001 and 2002 data, and monitoring and speciation of data continues. PM2.5
nonattainment designations are due to be submitted in February 2004.
• The Partners for Clean Air (PFCA) is a voluntary organization of businesses, local
governments and other entities in the Chicago area that take certain actions on Ozone
Action Days (days when meteorologists predict that the weather patterns are
conducive to ozone formation). BOA forecasts Ozone Action Days based upon
weather information and notifies the Partners, who along with their employees then
take one or more actions to help reduce emissions of VOM. Such actions include
staggered work hours to reduce rush hour traffic, telecommuting, and suspension of
landscaping activities that involve use of small engines such as lawnmowers.
In 2003, the number of Corporate Partners was over 400, from only 15 at the
beginning of the program in 1995. Federal funds have been received from the
Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program to support our efforts of public education
and outreach.
Significant public education and outreach efforts include:
1. Paid radio advertisements throughout the Ozone Season featuring Breathe Easy
Man.
2. Dedicated website for up-to-date information about air quality, cleantheair.org.
Between 5,000-7,000 visits are made to the site each month.
3. Hiring an actor in costume to portray Breathe Easy Man at approximately 20
festivals and events, and news shows throughout the Chicago-land area, carrying
the clean air message especially to children.
4. Providing giveaways to promote clean air featuring Breathe Easy Man, including
temporary tattoos and coloring books.
5. Blast fax and e-mail services to notify the media, PFCA and interested citizens of
Ozone Action Day declaration.
6. Press releases were sent to Chicago media declaring the first Ozone Action Day
on June 24, 2003.
