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Blue Skyways Collaborative Fact Sheet

Mission

To improve the quality of life in North America's Heartland by reducing air pollution through collaboration and innovations in fuel and energy use.

What is it?

Blue Skyways is a voluntary, public-private partnership currently comprising 10 States representing over 52 million people, six federal agencies, two EPA Regions (6 and 7), 10 major companies, the Central States Air Resources Agencies (CenSARA), NGOs, local government representatives, and representatives of Canada and Mexico.

Why is it important?

Diesel engines and power-producing facilities emit Nox, PM-2.5, VOC, and air toxics that negatively impact public health, including those in 14 nonattainment areas in the Blue Skyways area. Traffic and population are expected to increase dramatically in Blue Skyways, including the expected increases in trade-related transportation spurred by the North American Free Trade Agreement.Cityview picture

What are the integral parts of the Collaborative?

  • Quicker phase-out of the over 11 million older, legacy diesel trucks and off-road equipment
  • Expanding energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy
  • Focusing on emissions reductions in important transportation nodes such as airports, ports, and rail centers
  • Expanding the use of alternative fuels
  • Pursuing a vigorous outreach and funding identification program

To that end, Blue Skyways is organized into six subcommittees: On-road (diesel trucks), Non-road (construction and agriculture equipment), Fuels (ethanol and biodiesel), Airports/Rail/Ports (reducing emissions at these congested nodes), Energy (expanding energy efficiency and effecting more renewable energy projects) and Outreach (education, attracting partners, and funding identification).

What has happened thus far?

Blue Skyways held its kick-off meeting in Kansas City, February 15-16, 2006, with over 80 participants. Subcommittees were formed, personnel volunteered to serve, and milestones for actions were agreed upon.

The six Subcommittees have held approximately 50 meetings and conference calls since February to develop action-oriented workplans for the first year of the Collaborative. The Subcommittees and overall supervisory Task Force of the Collaborative will meet June 19-20, 2006 in Dallas to confirm these workplans, report progress, discuss partnering on specific projects, and recognize new communities and partners at a press event.

transportation picturesWhat are some of the specific projects we are planning?

  • Work with States, private sector to expand idle reduction (truck stop electrification, truck APUs)
  • Encourage participation in SMARTWAY program
  • Work with States to expand ethanol infrastructure
    Encourage large construction projects to require low-emitting construction equipment
  • Encourage use of hybrid locomotives in rail yards in nonattainment areas
  • Work with partners to speed international truck traffic across congested international bridges
  • Provide technical support to farmers/ranchers and small businesses to assist them in getting federal funds for wind, solar and landfill/CAFO/biomass methane projects in rural areas
  • Complete technical templates for SEPs for solar hot water heaters and ground source heat pumps to share with enforcement personnel in States and EPA Regions 6 and 7

Some projects already underway or completed

  • $1.2 million for a hydrogen fuel cell in Galveston, Texas, displacing 20 tons/year of Nox in the Houston-Galveston 03 severe nonattainment area.
  • Announcement by HEB, Inc. of 100+ E-85 pumps across Texas
  • Creative funding to speed emission reduction (SMARTWAY) upgrades on diesel trucks; up to 18% reduction in Nox and PM-2.5 emissions and 18% improvement in fuel efficiency
  • SMARTWAY Challenge to encourage carriers to implement a combination of on-road emissions reduction strategies, including an idle reduction component and installation of truck-related emissions reduction equipment
  • Since May 2006, have signed up 15 new Blue Skyways communities & partners
  • Applications of small scale fuel cells (2-25 kw) in nonattainment areas within Blue Skyways 10-state region
  • Interagency agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to provide technical consulting services to States in wind, solar, landfill/CAFO/biomass methane, and renewable fuels projects
  • Use of aircraft-based multispectral scanners to identify and voluntarily reduce undetected barge emissions at critical ports in Blue Skyways area
  • Installation of auxiliary power units by Wal-Mart in all its trucks
  • Leases by Texas General Land Office for offshore wind farms totaling over 500 mega watts

For general information, contact Wes McQuiddy, Blue Skyways Coordinator at 214-665-6722 or dmcquiddy(@blueskyways.org

Additional Information:

Blue Skyways Executive Summary

CenSARA, the Central States Air Resource Agencies Exit EPA

National Clean Diesel Campaign Page

EPA Region 6 Page

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