Air Quality Research and Planning
The Corpus Christi Airshed, comprised of Nueces and San Patricio counties, has been conducting an extensive research and planning program to ensure the area remains in compliance with EPA's clean air standards for ozone under the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The area remains the largest industrial based city in the nation in attainment of clean air standards.
The program, funded in grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), is yielding many valuable results. The City is the administrator of those contracts with TCEQ and overall program manager. One program aspect has been a successful outreach effort to small businesses through the Pollution Prevention Partnership (PPP) managed by the Department of University Outreach at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC). Emission reductions achieved through the Partnership have been instrumental in maintaining the area's clean air attainment status.
The research component of the program, conducted by the department of Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), includes emission inventorying, monitoring of air quality, analysis of causes for elevated ozone in the area, and photochemical modeling. Developing the science behind ozone formation in the area is instrumental in devising strategies for maintaining our air quality.
Links to both the PPP and TAMUK websites are provided on this page. These websites provide details on both programs and results of research efforts.
