NORTH TEXAS CLEAN AIR COALITION

Recognizing the potential negative consequences the region could face if we failed to achieve clean air compliance, several local organizations stepped up to the plate in 1993, forming the North Texas Clean Air Coalition (NTCAC) to help address the issue. The group's founding members include the North Texas Commission, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Dallas Chamber and the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority joined forces with the group shortly thereafter. From the start, the group has been committed to encouraging voluntary efforts to improve air quality in North Texas through educating, motivating and recognizing the business community.

NTCAC is currently operating under federal grant funding to execute an air quality public information campaign. Local sponsors have provided the 20 percent "local match" required to access these funds. However, during 2007 the NTCAC will begin looking for sustainable funding from public and private sources to continue their outreach efforts.

Because most of the air emissions in the D/FW nonattainment region come from mobile sources, chiefly automobiles, NTCAC works to encourage individuals in this region to make changes in their commuting patterns to help solve this problem. The coalition also works to promote employer-organized ridesharing programs such as transit passes, vanpools or carpools or provision of other incentives for employees who participate in trip reduction programs. NTCAC publicizes the benefits which may result from these commuting changes including a healthier environment, savings in auto and insurance costs, improved parking, shorter commutes and tax advantages for employers.



NTCAC MISSION

The North Texas Clean Air Coalition is committed to encouraging voluntary efforts to improve air quality in North Texas through educating, motivating and recognizing the business community.


NTCAC PROGRAMS

• Place paid advertising and public service announcements to promote alternatives to single-occupant commuting in North Texas.
  
  
• Work in conjunction with local media to inform the public about current air quality issues and provide meteorologists with reliable information about the air pollution watch and warning system.
  
  
• Sponsor annual Commute Solutions season.
  
  
• Sponsor annual Commuter Challenge Internet contest at tryparkingit.com.
  
  
• Serve as local supporter of U.S. EPA's Best Workplaces for Commuters campaign.
  
  
• Issue surveys to measure employer participation in commuting programs and reward top employers with awards and other recognition programs.
  
  
• Inform North Texas employers of the benefits of employer-sponsored commute options and publicize recognition programs through direct mail and e-mail campaigns.
  
  
• Maintain and enhance the northtexasair.org Internet site to provide public access to air quality data and materials.
  
  
• Sponsor and publish periodic research to determine public attitudes and behaviors as they relate to air quality.
  
  
• Manage a speakers' bureau to help publicize ways to reduce air pollution in North Texas.

North Texas Clean Air Coalition is a registered trademark.