Target: : Beginning in 2014, the region’s air quality will be improving and ambient concentrations will be reduced below federal standards

The region will strive for even cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, which will improve the health of all residents and the environment. Setting a benchmark to improve air quality and meet current federal standards on concentrations of pollutants in ambient air will help the region measure how successful a multitude of action strategies will be over time. When new federal standards are set, the region will develop plans to meet the new standards for continued improvement in air quality.

Poor air quality consists of dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets hanging in the air. These particles are too small for peoples’ respiratory systems to filter, and they get trapped in our lungs where they can adversely affect our health. Most of the particles enter the air through power plants, factories, automobiles, construction vehicles, unpaved roads, wood burning, and agriculture sites.

Creating compact communities reliant on alternative energy sources and providing alternative modes of transportation are important steps to improving our air. Also the ability to adopt new technology that mitigates pollution from power plants and automobiles at a national scale will further contribute to success in meeting this target.