NOACA connection

 News from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency

February 2012 - Vol 2, Issue 2
In This Issue
Funding Available for Diesel Emission Reduction Projects
Lunch and Learn What You Can Do to Spare the Air and Save Money
Support Clean Air by Posting a Vehicle Anti-Idling Sign
Transportation Advisory Committee to Consider Blue Line Light Rail Extension Alternative
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
  
  
  
  

Laketran

 

Geauga County Transit


Clean Air Zone

 

Fund for Our Economic Future

 

League of American Bicyclists

 

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture

 

OhioRideshare

 

Greater Cleveland Partnership

 

Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium

 

WestShore Corridor Transportation Project Plan

Funding Available for Diesel Emission Reduction Projects

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) seeks applications from communities and organizations for clean diesel transportation projects under the Diesel Emission Reduction Grant(DERG) program. This May, Ohio EPA will award $10 million in federal funding for clean diesel projects such as vehicle replacements, engine retrofit programs, and installation of anti-idling technology. If you have questions about the grants, participate in a conference call with Ohio EPA on March 8 at 10:00 a.m. or March 14 at 1:30 p.m. The deadline for DERG applications is March 30 at 5:00 p.m.

Lunch and Learn What You Can Do to Spare the Air and Save Money

You've heard the news-gas prices are expected to rise through spring and possibly reach $5 a gallon by Memorial Day. NOACA will help employers and their employees learn how to save money at the gas pump by reducing their fuel consumption, which also helps reduce carbon emissions. NOACA air quality staff is planning Lunch and Learn presentations about Eco-driving-an environmentally friendly style of driving-to companies, organizations, and in libraries during lunch hours or breaks. The presentation will cover:

  • Driving techniques and tips
  • Anti-idling
  • Alternative modes of transportation

Interested? Contact Communications Specialist Brenda Walker to find out more about this new initiative, or to schedule a presentation at your workplace.

Support Clean Air by Posting a Vehicle Anti-Idling Sign 

Clean Air signNOACA urges organizations and companies to help reduce air pollution created by idling motor vehicles. During 2011, NOACA staff distributed over 500 aluminum anti-idling signs to organizations throughout northeast Ohio. You can support clean air by requesting a free anti-idling sign for your workplace, to post by parking lots, loading docks, or anywhere vehicles needlessly idle their engines. Contact Brenda Walker to obtain a sign.

 

Transportation Advisory Committee to Consider Blue Line Light Rail Extension Alternative

At its March 16 meeting, NOACA's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) will consider endorsing a plan to extend the Greater Cleveland RTA's Blue Line light rail rapid transit service. In the Alternatives Analysis for the Blue Line, the project consultant recommended proceeding with a "baseline" build option that could be upgraded in the future. The baseline alternative includes a .3-mile Blue Line rail extension, a new Shaker Intermodal Transit Center, express bus service to University Circle, and Park-N-Ride lots at Northfield Road and Harvard Road. If the TAC also recommends the baseline option, it will be forwarded to the NOACA Governing Board for approval as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). Adoption of a LPA is necessary for the project to be considered for Federal Transit Administration New Start or Small Starts funding. RTA will give a presentation about the study at NOACA's March 9 Board meeting.

 

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is a regional organization of local officials responsible for carrying out transportation and environmental planning under the local direction and in accordance with state and federal mandates. The NOACA area encompasses the Cleveland/Lorain-Elyria metropolitan region, which includes Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties.

Howard R. Maier
Executive Director
NOACA