Pennsylvania's Air Quality Improves Statewide
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 Overall emissions of smog-forming
pollutants in Pennsylvania decreased 24 percent between 1985 and 1999,
according to a new report by a national highway transportation research
organization. More than half of the reduction in smog-forming emissions was a
result of declining emissions from cars, trucks, buses and other highway
vehicles.
The Road Information Program (TRIP) examined air quality trends in
Pennsylvania using new data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for
its report, "Breathing Cleaner Air in Pennsylvania: Why Air Quality in
Pennsylvania is Improving and What Can Be Done to Achieve Further Progress."
TRIP credits increased use of lower-emitting vehicles, cleaner fuels and
increased vehicle inspection and maintenance as contributing to the reductions
in pollutants.
"Air quality has improved significantly in Pennsylvania over the past
several years," said Frank Moretti, TRIP's Director of Research.
"The air has become cleaner even as Pennsylvanians drive more and the
economy has expanded," he added. "It shows that technology can help improve
the environment while allowing people to benefit from their mobility."
Moretti was scheduled to testify today before the State Transportation
Commission in Pittsburgh about Pennsylvania's improving air quality.
From 1985 to 1999, Pennsylvania's vehicle travel increased by 35 percent,
the number of registered vehicles increased by 25 percent, and the gross state
product, adjusted for inflation, increased by 48 percent.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the state's largest urban areas, experienced
significant reductions in smog-forming emissions from 1985 to 1999, with 28
and 30 percent reductions, respectively.
Smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)
are emitted from cars, trucks and busses, power plants, industrial facilities,
aviation, agriculture, small engines such as lawn mowers and from the use of
solvents and other chemicals. U.S. EPA found that emissions of VOCs and NOx
from highway vehicles in Pennsylvania decreased by 32 percent from 1985 to
1999.
Despite the improvements, 11 urban areas in Pennsylvania do not yet meet
federal clean air standards, but only Philadelphia and Pittsburgh exceeds the
standards more than marginally.
Technology promises to deliver more improvements. Federal law will require
the sale of lower-emitting vehicles and low-sulfur diesel fuel by 2006, and
significantly cleaner diesel engines by 2007.
"Traffic congestion relief will also help improve air quality in
Pennsylvania, since auto emissions decrease with smooth-flowing traffic," said
Joseph Kirk, Executive Director of the Mon Valley Progress Council and
President of the Pennsylvania Highway Information Association.
"Strategies to reduce congestion, including projects to relieve key
traffic bottlenecks, will contribute to further air quality improvements,"
Kirk said.
Motorists can contribute to clean air by driving as clean a vehicle as
possible, "driving green" and traveling efficiently using these strategies:
Drive a low-emission vehicle:
* Purchase the vehicle with the lowest emissions possible that still
meets your transportation needs
* Keep your vehicle well maintained. Regular tune-ups and responding to
dashboard warning lights that indicate engine problems will save money
and help reduce emissions.
* Keep tires properly inflated to improve fuel efficiency and reduce
emissions.
Be a "green" driver:
* Drive calmly, without fast starts, quick accelerations or rapid
braking.
* Obey the speed limit.
* When possible, travel at a steady speed. Using the cruise control can
improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Travel efficiently:
* If practical, share a ride to work, walk, bike, or take transit.
* Obtain the latest traffic information to choose the least-congested
route.
Editors: See appendix below for comparisons of total emissions of smog-
forming pollutants from 1985 to 1999 in 11 Pennsylvania urban areas. Full
report is on TRIP's website.
Appendix
Emissions (in tons) of all smog-forming (SF) pollutants and of highway
vehicle (HV) smog-forming pollutants by Pennsylvania urban areas for 1985 and
1999 and the percent change.
Total SF Total SF Percent Total HV Total HV Percent
Emissions Emissions Change SF SF Change
1985 1999 Emissions Emissions
1985 1999
Allentown-
Bethlehem-
Easton 92,435 83,198 -10 35,553 28,785 -19
Altoona 16,597 14,997 -10 9,255 6,714 -27
Erie 94,004 46,055 -51 15,529 14,420 -7
Harrisburg-
Lebanon-
Carlisle 78,070 74,321 -5 44,470 30,138 -32
Johnstown 31,438 31,445 0 19,689 12,226 -38
Lancaster 56,106 50,402 -10 28,053 18,312 -35
Philadelphia 845,769 607,765 -28 335,156 201,616 -40
Pittsburgh 393,385 276,776 -30 167,667 88,588 -47
Reading 48,598 44,926 -8 21,873 17,347 -21
Scranton-
Wilkes Barre 76,038 83,691 +10 40,992 33,545 -18
Sharon 17,981 17,786 -1 9,519 8,659 -9
State College 16,152 17,611 +9 7,882 6,760 -14
Williamsport 17,720 15,743 -11 8,929 5,623 -37
York 86,075 59,739 -31 26,286 16,161 -39
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Founded in 1971, The Road Information Program (TRIP) of Washington, D.C.,
is a nonprofit organization that researches, evaluates, and distributes
economic and technical data on highway transportation issues.
