What is the Clean Air Coalition Voluntary Ozone Action Program?

The Ozone Action Program is a voluntary driving curtailment and public education program coordinated by the Clean Air Coalition. It is a community-based program designed to reduce ozone-forming emissions caused by vehicles and other sources during the summer months in the Baton Rouge ozone non-attainment area.

It consists of two basic elements -- The Baton Rouge Area Commuter Services Program and The Ozone Action Day Program. Area employers will be informed of the Ozone Action Program and provided with a menu of options for participating in the program. Technical assistance will also be provided, if needed, for implementation of selected options. An incentives program will provide recognition for those participating in the program.

The Baton Rouge Area Commuter Services Program

As part of its ongoing transportation control measures (TCMs) program, the Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC) will provide local employers with information on TCM options that they might wish to voluntarily employ on an extended basis. Technical assistance with implementation of selected measures will also be provided. Estimates of emissions reductions realized through the extended TCM program will be documented.

The Ozone Action Day Program

Based on a prescribed decision-making process, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will issue an ozone alert in the afternoon on the day BEFORE an elevated level of ozone is expected to occur. Announcements for an Ozone Action Day will then be broadcast through television and other news media. At the same time, a system of employer notification will advise participating employers to notify their employees before the end of the working day. Ozone Action Day coordinators at each employer would be notified by phone or fax. They would then notify employees through announcements, E-mail, or printed notices posted at workplace exits. On the Ozone Action Day, organizations and individuals can voluntarily take planned measures to reduce emissions of ozone precursor pollutants. Following an Ozone Action Day, efforts will be made to estimate emissions reductions from the actions taken.

What is its purpose?

The purpose of the Ozone Action Program is to decrease the formation of ground-level ozone during the summer in the Baton Rouge ozone non-attainment area. (This area includes East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, and Iberville Parishes.) Ground-level ozone forms when pollutants from vehicles, paints and solvents, unburned fuel, and industrial sources "bake" in hot, sunny weather. The program warns the public about forecasted high ozone days, and asks for voluntary actions to reduce emissions of ozone forming pollutants.

Why is this program important?

While acting as a protective shield in the upper atmosphere, ozone at ground-level is a major element of urban smog. Ozone can lower resistance to diseases such as colds and pneumonia, damage lung tissue, intensify heart and lung disease, and cause coughing and throat irritation. At highest risk are children, the elderly, and those with heart or respiratory diseases. Elevated levels of ozone can also harm vegetation, farm crops, and forests.

Ultimately, achieving attainment for ozone (air quality better than the national standard) will result in a healthier environment for the region's citizens and work force, and make it more attractive for economic development and relocations.

How YOU Can Get Involved

Ozone Action programs are being implemented in many cities throughout the U.S. They are cost-effective and do not require new regulations or mandatory actions. The Ozone Action Program is entirely voluntary and depends on EVERYONE to share the responsibility.

For more information on how you can get involved see "What You Can Do".

How Can Employers Get Involved?

All employers are encouraged to participate by pledging to do a few simple things:

  • Designate an employee to serve as Ozone Action Program Coordinator.
  • Educate employees by distributing Ozone Action Day information to employees, placing articles in company newsletters, etc.
  • Notify employees that an Ozone Action Day has been forecast. This can be done by posting signs at exits, in break rooms, on bulletin boards, or by sending a notice through e-mail systems.
  • Develop and implement an Ozone Action Day response program for your organization.

What is an Ozone Action Day?

An Ozone Action Day will be declared by the LDEQ when the Baton Rouge area’s air quality is forecast for the next day to approach or enter the range of Air Quality Index Code Red, which is Unhealthy. Organizations and individuals would then take planned measures to reduce ozone-forming emissions.

How Will I Know if it’s an Ozone Action Day ?

LDEQ will issue an Ozone Alert through news media and employers to inform the public that an Ozone Action Day has been forecast.

What are participating employers expected to do on an Ozone Action Day?

  • Notify employees that an Ozone Action Day has been forecast. This can be done by posting signs at exits, in break rooms, or on bulletin boards, or by sending a notice through e-mail or voice mail systems.
  • Implement measures you have selected for your Ozone Action Day response program.

TEN STEPS TO CREATING YOUR OZONE ACTION PLAN

1. Identify a Champion 6. Announce the Plan and Educate Employees
2. Designate a Coordinator(s) 7. Receive Ozone Action Day Alerts
3. Assign a Team  8. Monitor Participation
4. Choose Actions 9. Report Results
5. Develop and Commit to Policies 10. Update the Plan

 

Employers wishing to participate in the Ozone Action Program will be provided with the Coordinators’ Toolkit manual or CD upon request.

To receive a copy contact: Angie Normand Capital Region Planning Commission Phone: (225) 383-5203 E-mail: anormand@brgov.com

The Capital Region Planning Commission can provide technical assistance for employers wishing to evaluate or implement various commute options for their employees.

For more information contact Perry Felarise at CRPC at (225) 383-5203.

Our Growing List of Partners

  • Capital Region Planning Commission
  • Chamber of Greater Baton Rouge
  • East Baton Rouge Parish
  • Ascension Parish
  • LSU
  • Southern University
  • LA Dept. Environ. Quality
  • LA Dept. Natural Res.
  • LA Office of Emer. Prep
  • LA Dept of Administration
  • LA Dept. Trans. Develop.
  • LA Dept. Revenue
  • LA Dept. Culture, Rec.Tourism
  • LA Dept. Econ. Develop.
  • LA Association of Business and Industry
  • LA Dept. Agric. Forestry
  • LA Dept. Health Hospitals
  • LA Dept Social Services
  • LA Dept Publ Safety Corr
  • LA Dept Wildlife Fisheries
  • LA Dept of Labor
  • ExxonMobil Chemical
  • ExxonMobil Pt. Allen
  • ExxonMobil Refinery
  • ExxonMobil Polyolefins
  • Shell Chemical
  • Syngenta
  • Dow Chemical
  • Georgia-Pacific Port Hudson
  • Vulcan Chemical
  • Shaw Environmental
  • Hibernia Bank
  • Our Lady of the Lake Reg Med Cntr
  • Parker and Associates
  • LA Waterways Operators
  • Atofina Petrochemicals
  • Ecology & Environment Inc.
  • Honeywell
  • CF Industries
  • Dupont
  • Rubicon
  • Crompton/Uniroyal
  • PCS Nitrogen
  • Triad Nitrogen
  • El Paso Field Services
  • Ciba Specialty Chemicals

Back to top