Central Oklahoma News - November 2009

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2009 Ozone Season Ends with Question Mark

Another ozone season has come and gone in Central Oklahoma. The region had what would be considered an average year, with seven Clean Air Alert Days issued. Based on cumulative readings over the past decade, the air is getting cleaner in Central Oklahoma. However, due to the most recent, and proposed federal ozone standard, the relatively low readings experienced this summer may still not be enough to keep the region in compliance.

On Sept. 16, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would reconsider the 2008 ozone standard. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said the agency will reconsider the ozone standard to ensure that it is clearly grounded in science, will protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, and that it is sufficient to protect the environment. The ozone standards set in 2008 were not as protective as recommended by EPA's panel of science advisors, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee.

As such, revisions to the rule will be proposed by December 2009 and finalized by August of 2010. Right now, it appears the agency will not issue designations until August 2011.

Despite the fact that Central Oklahoma's ozone levels have decreased in the past 10 years, adherence to the new federal standard will be very difficult based on projections for 2010. In fact, our 2010 ozone readings will have to be even lower than they were this year if the region is to remain in compliance.

As it stands now, based on the metro's 2007-09 readings, the Central Oklahoma region would be considered in full attainment with the federal rule. But the new proposed standard greatly complicates the matter. ACOG will continue to monitor this issue.

Region Receives 9-1-1 System Upgrade Grant

In July, 9-1-1 ACOG applied to the state of Oklahoma for a potential $700,000 in grant funds that the state of Oklahoma was eligible for through the Federal 9-1-1 Office. These funds would be used to purchase a Next Generation 9-1-1 system with abilities to receive 9-1-1 calls from "advanced technologies." The 9-1-1 Association (9-1-1 ACOG) was placed on a supplemental grantee list, in that if the state of Oklahoma received more than the initial $700,000, 9-1-1 ACOG would be a recipient of at least some of the additional grant funds.

On September 25, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Commerce, who administer the Federal 9-1-1 Office, announced more than $40 million in grants to states, with Oklahoma receiving $1,396,871 of those grant funds. The Central Oklahoma region is likely to receive up to $400,000, which will be sub-awarded to 9-1-1 ACOG for upgrade of the regional 9-1-1 system.

Fleet Conversion Grant Program Calls for Projects

ACOG has released a request for projects for the second round of its public vehicle fleet conversion program. The grant program is designed to reduce air pollution and help public sector organizations implement the use of alternative fuels for their vehicles. The Public Fleet Conversion Grants program will provide local governments and school districts funds for fleet conversions to clean fuel technologies. Other eligible projects include alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid vehicles and alternative fuel vehicle refueling infrastructure.

The program is funded through Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) improvement funds provided by the Federal Highway Administration and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Only public-sector fleets are eligible to receive funds, including ACOG member entity fleets, other local government fleets operated either partially or wholly within the Oklahoma City Area Regional Transportation Study (OCARTS) area, and public school bus fleets whose district boundaries are contained partially or wholly within the OCARTS region. Public transit fleets and/or their contractors are eligible to receive funds, but only for non-transit vehicles and/or for alternative fuel infrastructure. Private entities that contract services such as refuse hauling or school transportation to OCARTS area-eligible entities can be considered for funding. Federal, state, and fuel provider fleets covered under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992) are not eligible to receive funds.

Eligible projects will be funded at a ratio of up to 50 percent federal funds and 50 percent local funds for eligible project costs. A higher local match is encouraged.

A grant application workshop is scheduled for November 17 at ACOG. The deadline for application submission is January 12, 2010, with grants awarded in March. For more information, contact Yvonne Anderson, ACOG. Download the application.

Around the Region

ACOG Clean Cities Honors Alternative Fuels Leadership. Oklahoma City's General Services Department and UPS were recipients of the 2009 Zach D. Taylor, Jr. Clean Cities Vision Awards for regional alternative fuels leadership. One public sector award and one private sector award is given each year. Today, the Oklahoma City General Services Department operates or maintains a fleet of 57 dedicated compressed natural gas vehicles including 29 of its own, and 28 operated by other city departments. General Services also purchases fuel for the city departments it serves and last year fueled some 272 pieces of mobile equipment with B20-blend biodiesel. Biodiesel is used in city owned light-duty diesel vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, construction equipment, and forklifts. In the last year, UPS has deployed 125 new, clean-burning, CNG package vans in the Central Oklahoma region replacing an equal number of older model, high-mileage, conventional fuel delivery vehicles.

METRO Transit Unveils New Website. Visitors to METRO Transit's website, at www.gometro.org will find a redesigned site that gives riders, residents and visitors effortless access to online information about METRO Transit's services. The site includes several added features, such as a Service Guide with a transit savings calculator and an Action Center where visitors can make a request, report a concern or make a suggestion. The site now features streamlined content and a more accessible format for all customers. Quick links and Route Quick Links were incorporated directly on the site's homepage; making it easy for customers to quickly access the most frequently sought information, including schedules, maps, alerts and special service programs. Many of the new features enhance usability for persons with disabilities. Over the course of the next year, an online trip planner and real-time bus tracking will be integrated into the new site.

Norman named to Great Places You've (Maybe) Never Heard Of list. Mother Earth News, a bimonthly magazine dedicated to leading a more sustainable existence, included Norman on its annual, unscientific list of Great Places You've (Maybe) Never Heard Of. The article in the October-November issue cites Norman's vibrant, college-town atmosphere, array of live music events, bike trails and its growing sustainability sector as reasons for its inclusion in 2009.

Harrah Receives 2009 Municipal Innovations Award. The city was lauded for its "Birth of Community Cultural Venue - Heritage Park, The Amp at the Park" by the Oklahoma Municipal League this fall. Under the project, the city's Heritage Park was further developed to add an amphitheater to provide a stage for arts and culture events. These additional improvements to what was once simply a wasteland have allowed the park to become a place where people of all ages, youth, adults, families with children and seniors can enjoy a great time of sharing community events.

Central Oklahoma Communities Recognized for Financial Reporting. The Government Finance Officers Association awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Mustang and Nichols Hills for its comprehensive annual financial report for fiscal year 2008. The certificate recognizes conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government financial reports. According to the GFOA, attaining the certificate represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

EMSA's Tina Wells Receives Frizzell Award. Tina Wells, EMSA Vice President for Marketing and Policy Development, was recognized with the 2009 Ben Frizzell Memorial Award. The citation was presented by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) during today's annual emergency management conference. The award recognizes an individual who provides outstanding service in the area of emergency management public information. The Ben Frizzell Memorial Award is presented in honor of the late OEM Public Information Officer who served the agency from 1995 to 2000.

Regional Events

REVOLUTION Wind Energy Conference: REVOLUTION, the 2009 Oklahoma Wind Energy Conference is scheduled for December 2 and 3, 2009 in downtown Oklahoma City at the Cox Convention Center. The conference will feature nationally recognized experts, including representatives from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and American Wind Energy Association, discussing the advancement of wind development in Oklahoma. REVOLUTION 2009 is designed to inform and educate landowners, developers, manufacturers, utility companies, community planners, economic development groups, sustainable energy advocates, and those who work to protect the environment on all issues impacting wind development. The conference will include timely seminars about wind energy growth for Oklahoma and America, including discussions about finance, landowner perspectives, policy, infrastructure, and other key issues. The Oklahoma Wind Energy Conference is presented by Oklahoma's Secretaries of Energy, Environment and Commerce. Registration is $75. For more information, visit www.OKWindRevolution.com or call (800) 203-5494.

12th Annual Turning Point Forum & Oklahoma Fit Kids Conference:
The theme for this year's conference is "Healthy Communities: Challenging Times" and will be held on December 3, 2009 at the Nigh University Center, Garland Godfrey Drive, University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Conference themes include obesity prevention, community grocery stores and gardens, policy and advocacy, tobacco use prevention, health equity, and teen pregnancy prevention. The keynote speaker is Nick Yphantides, M.D., who will describe his journey with obesity and how he lost 270 pounds. To register, visit www.okturningpoint.org.

SandRidge Santa Run: Whether you run or walk the entire family will enjoy some holiday fun at the, December 5. The SandRidge Santa Run includes a 5K run that begins at 9 a.m. at Leadership Square, 211 N Robinson, followed by a One-Mile Fun Run at 10 a.m. and a Santa Claus Kid's Dash for tots immediately following the 5K. Registration is being accepted now through race day. Pre-register prior to December 4 for $25.00. After December 4, register on race day for $30 at Leadership Square. The One-Mile Fun Run is $5 for kids 12 and under and $10 for adults. There is no charge for the age eight and under Kid's Dash. Participants can register online on the run page at www.DowntownInDecember.com.

The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) is a voluntary association of city, town and county governments within the Central Oklahoma area. The ACOG region includes Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian and Logan Counties. Originally established in June of 1966, ACOG is one of 11 Councils of Governments in the State of Oklahoma, and one of several hundred planning organizations across the country.