The month of May is Clean Air Month. The easiest way to create better habits for our air is by altering the activities we already do every day. Shopping is one of America’s favorite pastimes. We do it so often we do not think of the impact it can have on the world around us. In Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009), Sophie Kinsella penned one of shopping’s best quotes. “When I shop, the world gets better.” Many are unaware of how everyday shopping habits can affect our daily air quality. Making simple changes and implementing a few things in our shopping routines can reduce the number of emissions in North Texas air. Here are some ways you can adjust your shopping patterns to moderate the impa
Final draft recommendations for Mobility 2045 are now available online for public review. Mobility 2045 outlines how highways, bus and train lines, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities will work together to keep North Texans moving as the region continues to grow. As the next long-range transportation plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth region, it defines a vision for the region’s transportation system, guides spending of federal and state transportation funds, and addresses air quality and quality of life issues. View the recommendations and submit your feedback at www.nctcog.org/mobility2045. In addition, NCTCOG staff will present the recommendations at public meetings on May 8 in Fort Worth,
On May 8, the North Central Texas Council of Governments is hosting its Energy Efficiency Forum that will highlight regional partnerships, efforts, financing mechanisms, and resources that businesses and local governments can leverage to reduce energy consumption at their facilities or in their community. All are welcome to attend this free event (there is a charge for lunch) and it’s a great opportunity to learn about the region’s exciting efforts including Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs and the Fort Worth Better Buildings Challenge. We hope to see you there! Register today at www.nctcog.org/envir/events
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is now available in Tarrant County, which has joined a dozen other Texas counties and cities in offering this financial tool. PACE offers economic and environmental benefits for private industrial, commercial, and multifamily buildings by enabling property owners to access low-cost, long-term loans to pay for water conservation, energy-efficiency improvements, and renewable energy retrofits. Examples of qualified projects are HVAC systems, efficient lighting, water management, and high efficiency irrigation systems. More information about eligible improvements and Texas case studies can be found at www.texaspaceauthority.org. Additionally, the
Just breathe – a simple phrase we’ve all heard. This can be hard to do if the air quality around you is bad. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked poor air quality to lung and heart disease just to name a few. Air quality is a serious issue, and with Clean Air Month being celebrated in May, it’s important to keep it top-of-mind. One area in North Texas experiencing traffic and air quality concerns is Denton County. As traffic worsens in Denton County and the Dallas region, commute times are on the rise. One in 10 Denton County commuters now travel more than 60 minutes to work – an increase of 47 percent since 2009. Our friends at the Denton County Transportation Authority
Waze Carpool has introduced a pilot program to the Dallas-Fort Worth area allowing commuters to utilize Waze Carpool for a flat rate of $2. NCTCOG and Try Parking It, the region’s ride-matching and commute-tracking website, have partnered with Waze to allow carpoolers to log commutes to earn points that can be used to enter additional contests, purchase rewards and earn milestone prizes. Through the pilot program, passengers who wish to carpool with a Waze driver will be able to download the Waze Carpool App and request a ride. The carpool app is separate from the Waze Navigation app. Riders chip in to cover the cost of gas. The result is that passengers get an affordable and convenient rid
