D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 620
620
620.1 Air quality has improved tremendously over the decades thanks to successful air pollution control programs and technology improvements. Washington, DC residents continue to experience occasional smoggy summer days that can be harmful to human health. Effects range from minor problems like watery eyes and headaches to serious respiratory problems and heart ailments. Those with lung or heart disease, children, and older adults are particularly vulnerable, and these conditions are disproportionately experienced by communities of color and low-income residents.
620.2 Air pollution is comprised of carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, particle pollution (often referred to as particulate matter), and sulfur oxides, as well as other hazardous air pollutants. The greatest contributor to air pollution in the Washington metropolitan region is motor vehicle emissions. Emissions from local smokestacks and other stationary sources are fairly limited, although the District is subject to such pollution from upwind states. While cleaner-burning gasoline and federal engine standards have helped reduce pollution to some degree, urban sprawl and accompanying congestion have countered this gain. Clearly, reducing motor vehicle emissions is not something the District can do on its own, though the District is undertaking numerous efforts to make Washington, DC less dependent on automobiles. Numerous multi-state organizations and regional committees exist to address the issue, all working toward compliance with federal Clean Air Act standards. These entities focus not only on reducing vehicle emissions, but also on curbing other sources of pollution, ranging from power plants, locomotives, and jet fuel to consumer products such as paints, lawnmowers, gas-fired leaf-blowers, and home fireplaces and barbecues.
620.3 The 1970 Clean Air Act established standards for six criteria pollutants. These are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide. Areas where these standards are not met are designated as nonattainment by the EPA. As of 2015, the Washington metropolitan region is classified as a marginal non-attainment area for the federal eight-hour ozone standard (see Figure 6.5, 2018 Ambient Air Quality Trends). Because of this status, the District (along with Maryland and Virginia) must prepare State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to track the progress toward attaining federal air quality standards.
620.3a Text Box: Vehicle Emissions
In two related settlements, German automaker Volkswagen AG (VW) has agreed to spend nearly $25 billion to settle allegations of cheating on vehicle emissions tests and deceiving customers. VW's use of a defeat device in its diesel vehicles enabled the vehicles to emit levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) significantly in excess of the limits set by the EPA. NOx is a precursor to ozone formation and is
hazardous to human health. The automaker will spend $2.925 billion to mitigate the pollution from these diesel cars, $2 billion to invest in clean vehicle technology, and $10 billion in the vehicle recall program.
620.3b Washington, DC is expected to receive $8.125 million from the VW settlement and must develop a Mitigation Plan outlining the use of the funds for eligible projects, with the main goal of reducing NOx emissions. The District plans to spend the $8.125 million of VW settlement funds in three project areas: locomotive switcher engine replacement, incentives for replacement of diesel transit buses and trash trucks, and rebates for tailpipe pollution reduction retrofits.
620.4 Figure 6.5 2018 Ambient Air Quality Trends
(Source: DOEE and the Environment, 2018)
620.5 Air quality trends data demonstrates that despite population increases and other related activities in the District, ambient concentrations of all criteria pollutants and pollution emissions have dropped during the assessment period. However, ozone continues to be the biggest air pollution challenge the region faces. Figure 6.6 shows the number of days the federal eight-hour ozone standard was exceeded at three monitoring locations in the District between 1997 and 2018. The second chart, Figure 6.7, shows the statistical three-year average of pollutant
concentrations in the air per year over the same time period from each monitor in Washington, DC. The third chart, Figure 6.8, shows that levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, or soot, have also declined at each monitor over time. In 2014, the District officially was designated as being in attainment of all federal standards for fine particulate matter.
620.6 Figure 6.6: Number of Exceedance Days in the District Compared to the 2015 Eight-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
(Source: DOEE, 2019)
620.7 Figure 6.7 Eight-Hour Ozone Design Concentration Values for Each Monitor
(Source: DOEE, 2019)
620.8 Figure 6.8 Annual Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Design Concentration Values for Each Monitor
(Source: DOEE, 2019)
620.9 Through implementation of the GAR, District-wide tree planting efforts, and other GI initiatives, the District is supporting the use of landscaping and tree planting to absorb ozone and other pollutants.
See Section 615 for more information about the GAR.
Continue to undertake programs and initiatives that move the region closer to attaining and maintaining federal air quality standards. Expand these programs as feasible to incorporate new technology and to reflect best practices around the country.
Recognize that air quality is a regional issue that requires multi-jurisdictional strategies and solutions. Accordingly, work with surrounding cities, counties, states, the federal government, and appropriate regional organizations to more effectively conduct air quality planning.
Evaluate potential air emissions from new and expanded development, including transportation improvements and municipal facilities, and take measures to mitigate any possible adverse impacts, particularly to any adjoining residential uses. These measures should include construction controls to reduce airborne dust and transportation emissions.
Maintain controls on gaseous and particulate emissions from stationary sources of air pollution in Washington, DC, such as boilers and generators. Particular attention should be given to achieving compliance of local industrial/commercial/institutional boilers, which are the largest stationary sources of air pollution in the District.
Promote strategies that reduce motor vehicle emissions in the District and surrounding region. As outlined in the Land Use and Transportation Elements of this Comprehensive Plan, this includes the development of a fully integrated regional system of buses, streetcars, rail transit, bicycles, taxis, and pedestrian facilities to make it easier and more convenient to travel without an automobile. It also includes the promotion of trip reduction measures, such as video conference facilities, telecommuting, flextime, and carpooling. Strategies to reduce congestion and idling time, such as improved signal timing and reversible commute lanes, also should contribute to air quality improvement.
Encourage the use of clean fuel vehicles and enhance efforts to place refueling and recharging equipment at facilities accessible for public use. When feasible, provide financial incentives for District residents and businesses to use clean vehicles, such as reduced motor vehicle tax and license fees. Support proliferation of EVs through innovative rate designs.
620.16 Policy E-5.1.7: Energy Efficiency and Air Quality
Encourage making energy-efficiency upgrades to provide the co-benefit of improving air quality.
620.17 Policy E-5.1.8: Air Quality Education
Support increased public awareness of air quality issues through Air Quality Action Day programs, publication of air quality data, and distribution of educational materials that outline steps residents and businesses can take to help maintain clean air. For the regulated community, continue outreach about air quality requirements and compliance assistance. Increase use of innovative technological outreach, such as a bench monitoring station.
620.18 Policy E-5.1.9: Zero-Emission Vehicles
Encourage the use of electric and zero-emissions vehicles. When feasible, provide financial incentives for District residents and businesses to use electric and zero-emissions vehicles, such as reduced motor vehicle tax and license fees. Support expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including innovative designs that encourage off-peak charging and enhance efforts to place refueling and recharging equipment at facilities accessible for public use.
620.19 Action E-5.1.A: SIP
Cooperate with appropriate state, regional, and federal agencies to carry out the federally mandated SIP in order to attain federal standards for ground level ozone by the end of 2021.
620.20 Action E-5.1.B: Control of Bus and Truck Emissions
Collaborate with Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) and local motor coach operators to reduce diesel bus emissions through the acquisition and use of clean fuel and electric transit vehicles. Additionally, encourage natural gas-powered, electric-powered, and hybrid commercial trucks to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
620.21 Action E-5.1.C: Motor Vehicle Inspection Programs
Regularly update the District's motor vehicle inspection and maintenance programs to ensure that they are employing the latest monitoring technologies. Consider expanding requirements for heavy vehicle emission inspections.
620.22 Action E-5.1.D: Air Quality Monitoring
Continue to operate a system of air quality monitors around the District and take corrective actions in the event the monitors detect emissions or pollution that exceeds federal standards.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).