Nothing is a human necessity as much as the air we breathe. Years of pollution have taken their toll not only on the environment but on human health. In 1970, the Clean Air Act was implemented and as a result we have been largely successful in reducing detrimental air quality impacts. And while air quality is better than in previous decades, there is still work to be done. As we celebrate Clean Air Month we recognize a variety of projects that have helped improve air quality in Tennessee. What can you do? Ride your bike or walk, plant a tree, set your thermostat up a few additional degrees...the opportunities are many. Happy May! -Lori |
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Electric turf maintenance: Good for the air, good for the grass, good for the birds
On Earth Day, the Bear Trace Golf Course at Harrison Bay State Park celebrated the one year anniversary of their all electric greens keeping equipment. The equipment was funded by the Office of Sustainable Practices using monies from the Clean Tennessee Energy Grants.
Switching to electric equipment had numerous benefits for the course and the environment.
The most notable thing about electric moving equipment is that it is virtually silent. The quiet operation helps the grounds staff minimally disturb the golfers and wildlife during operation. Also, the equipment does not require fluid changes and has no hydraulic fluids which results in operational efficiency and improved groundwater protection with the added benefits no fluids to dispose of and no chance for grass kills due to hydraulic leaks. The biggest savings though are related to fuel. The electricity required to powered the mowers costs pennies on the dollar to gasoline and generates significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions. For the first year of operation the equipment change over resulted in a reduction of 180,000 pounds of point-source CO2 emissions. They mowers are on a timer to charge at night when the grid has excess capacity.
The course proudly boasts a fleet of 18 pieces of electric turf maintenance equipment that includes seven Jacobsen mowers, five Toro MDE Workman vehicles, two TruTurf greensrollers, a pair of Smithco Super Star bunker rakes and two Club Car Carryall II vehicles, making it truly unique in the golf world. In fact on Earth Day, they made an exciting announcement. They are now one of only 6 golf courses in the United States to be GEP certified by the Golf Environment Organization. Mirimichi located near Memphis, TN is one of the other half dozen courses. Both Mirimichi and the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay are past recipients of Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards.
Here's an excerpt from the audit report. "Few courses have achieved such grassroots yet global attention as has The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. From creating a pair of social media star bald eagles to committing to a nearly all-electric turf maintenance fleet, their successes are innovative and built from the ground up. As a state park course on a large lake that supplies irrigation, the course's water is managed and monitored effectively not only by the course itself but by state and federal agencies. A focus on energy efficiency has returned results in significant reductions of petroleum product and electric use, but what were most noticeable were the lyrical songbirds I clearly heard while the all-electric mowers were making their classic fairway cut. "
J. Russell Bodie, M.A., GEOSA, Accredited Verifier
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City of Ducktown receives the Clean Air Excellence Award
May is Clean Air Month and the Department of Environment and Conservation is pleased to learn that a Tennessee community received national recognition for their work to promote a clean environment. The City of Ducktown, located in Polk County has only about 500 citizens and city leaders have refused to allow their size in number to limit their efforts at being sustainable. Instead, they used it as a motivator to set an example for others on what can be accomplished.
On April 2, 2014, the City of Ducktown received a Clean Air Excellence Award. James Talley, Mayor of Ducktown joined several others in Washington DC for the 2014 Clean Air Excellence Award ceremony. The presentation was made by Janet McCabe, Acting Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ms. McCabe said "the innovative projects from this year's Clean Air Excellence Award winners will protect air quality in communities across the country. These winners are educating our communities, inspiring organizations to take action and developing cutting-edge programs that will cut harmful pollution, improve public health, and make our cities and towns more sustainable."
The City of Ducktown, Tennessee won the Community Action Award for its development of a 28 Kilowatt Solar Array. The project was honored as one of nine projects across the United States that enhanced clean air and climate initiatives. The project, though small by some standards is exactly what is needed to reduce energy demand and lower greenhouse gas emissions. EPA selected the project to highlight an innovative program that protects health and the environment. As well, the project served to help educate the public, elicit community involvement and stimulate the economy.
With community support and a total project cost of $108,000, the city was able to build twice the capacity of a 14-kilowatt system to a 28-kilowatt system. During its first year of operation, the 28-kilowatt system created $9,000 in revenues, offsetting approximately 45 percent of the energy cost. To date, this project has avoided more than 35 tons of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Ducktown has also partnered with other private businesses and installed an additional 60 kilowatts of solar capacity, offsetting the total energy cost by 65 percent.
The Office of Sustainable Practices congratulates the City of Ducktown for the Clean Air Excellence Award and encourages communities to get involved in improving air quality.
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All across the US, vehicles sit idling whether it is parents waiting to pick up kids from school, hungry families waiting in drive-thru lines, or truck drivers sleeping at a rest stop. Vehicle idling wastes fuel, damages engines, and results in excess greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. As a result, anti-idling policies are starting to be implemented all across the country.
There is a common misconception that leaving an automobile running when waiting for several minutes is better for cars and light-duty vehicles than simply shutting off the engine. However, an idle car gets zero miles to the gallon and with modern engines, idling an automobile for more than 10 seconds wastes more fuel than simply turning it off and then restarting it. Emissions created by idling vehicles contribute toward smog formation, and produces about 19 pounds of carbon dioxide for every gallon of gas consumed.Natural Resources Canada found that frequent restarting has little impact on engine components such as the battery and starter motor, and the wear caused by restarting is estimated to add $10 per year to the cost of driving, far less than the cost of wasted fuel.
Over recent years, the State of Tennessee has begun to recognize this issue and has developed several programs and policies to reduce its impact. One example is Nashville's Mayor Dean. During his time in office, he has established an anti-idling policy for all city-owned vehicles. In turn, this has resulted in Metro Public Schools implementing an idle reduction program for almost 600 school buses.
East TN Clean Fuels formally started the Idle-Free Tennessee program during the 2010-2011 scholastic year, working in Knox County. The purpose for starting the program was to reduce unnecessary idling at schools, which would accomplish two significant goals: improve air quality around Knox County children and reduce oil consumption. Many anti-idling programs exist around the country and have shown to achieve these two objectives while saving consumers money on fuel costs.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created the National Idle Reduction Campaign which helps communities take action toward a cleaner, healthier environment. It recognizes the important role of the school bus driver as a professional who is responsible for the safety and security of children. The website offers simple ways that schools or school districts can get involved with idle reduction. The website offers suggestions for establishing an Idle Reduction Policy and provides promotional materials for helping the program succeed.
Idling is also an issue with the trucking industry. According to the EPA, on average, each idling truck produces about 21 tons of carbon dioxide and 0.3 tons of nitrogen oxides annually. Some truck stops and truck-stop technology companies are looking into alternative technologies to alleviate this problem with funding assistance from government agencies. In 2009, the Tennessee Department of Transportation received a $2 million American Reinvestment and Recovery Act discretionary grant to begin equipping truck stops across the state with truck stop electrification (TSE) technology. Truck stop electrification systems provide heating and cooling for sleeper cab compartments and power to run electrical appliances, such as computers and microwaves. TSE systems also allow trucks outfitted with on-board equipment to "plug in" to operate necessary systems without idling the engine.
IdleAir, a Knoxville-based company, provides long-haul truck drivers this alternative method to idling their engines during rest periods. IdleAir service allows truck drivers to turn off their diesel engines and Auxillary Power Units (APUs) and still enjoy heating, cooling, standard electric inside and outside the cab, Satellite TV, Internet, and many of the comforts of home - all while saving money and getting better sleep without the noise, vibration, and exhaust fumes from idling. |
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