Sacramento's Air Quality Challenge

To meet thresholds ordered by the Clean Air Act, the area must reduce the current 77.87 tons of NOx emissions per day by removing of 2 tons per day by 2002, and 3 tons per day by 2005, says Martin Tuttle, executive director for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). Up to $4.5 billion dollars in transportation improvements could be lost if these deadlines are missed. Installing devices on high emission vehicles is the most cost effective method of reduction, Tuttle asserts. In addition, the creation of the Sacramento Emergency Clean Air Transportation pilot program through bill AB 2511 is another tool that will bring the Sacramento area toward its air quality goals. With the cooperation of the owners of public and private truck fleets in the incentive program, SACOG is confident the transportation funds will be available to provide for the growing population.