Blue Skyways Collaborative

Blue Skyways to Bring Cleaner Air

Clean air is catching on in Texas and across the heartland of America as 18 new partners and communities join the Blue Skyways Collaborative to help reduce air pollution in the central United States.

Blue Skyways partners and communities are sharing air pollution reduction technology and professional expertise, as well as leveraging funding. More than $90 million in clean diesel and renewable energy projects was dedicated at a June 20 meeting by the Blue Skyways partners. Projects use innovations in diesel engines, alternative fuels and renewable energy technologies to reduce air emissions in urban areas and along major transportation corridors.

"Blue Skyways partners are committing to take action and help reduce the number of red ozone alert days across the heartland of America from Laredo to Duluth," Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said. "Their commitment to help improve air quality is critical to our nation's goal for clean air."

EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford said, "Since the kick-off meeting for the collaborative in Kansas City last February, we can really see interest in Blue Skyways accelerating. That interest will ultimately translate into significant diesel emissions reductions and healthier air."

"Texas is proud to be a part of this innovative collaboration between communities, businesses, and governmental agencies to voluntarily promote strategies that will help improve air quality throughout Texas," Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Commissioner Larry R. Soward said.

The Blue Skyways Collaborative covers ten central states - Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota - and along the borders with Canada and Mexico.

Communities and businesses are encouraged to implement emission reduction projects and apply to become Blue Skyways partners.

New partners include:

More information about the Blue Skyways Collaborative is available the Central States Air Resource Agencies' page.

Additional Information: