The Kingston CAC has established a Wood Burning/Air Quality Sub-Committee to address air quality concerns in the City that are not already being addressed through the Climate Smart Kingston and Sustainability work being done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Mission of the Air Quality Sub-Committee is: To ensure the conservation of clean air in the City of Kingston and the enhancement of the protection of clean air while fostering unified action on matters of air quality.
GOALS: As the City of Kingston experiences economic land development and population growth, the CAC Air Quality Sub-Committee seeks to:
1) Assure that clean air is preserved and improved sustainably.
2) Provide equitable access to clean air for all residents protection.
3) Inform City policies and procedures about air quality by examining local, state and federal levels of protection.
Two particular concerns include:
1) Particulates from Wood Burning and 2) Vehicle Idling
Burning Wood
credit: Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Burning wood is one of the dirtiest ways to heat your home.
It contains tiny particles and toxic chemicals that can seriously affect health.
Based on data gathered from the U.S. Energy Information Administration it was estimated that 1,573.63 tons of wood was used as fuel in the City of Kingston in 2010. This created 193 tonnes of CO2e.
The Kingston Conservation Advisory Council:
- endeavors to educate residents about the health and environmental risks of burning wood.
Listen now to a CAC interview on Wood Smoke Pollution with WAMC
Listen now to a CAC interview on Wood Smoke Pollution with WKNY Radio Kingston's The Source with Hillary Harvey.
Listen now to a CAC interview on Wood Smoke Pollution with Healthy Ulster Radio, Show #167.
- works toward informed enforcement of current Air Pollution and Smoke Control code (http://ecode360.com/12699897) in conjunction with the Kingston Fire Department.
- is examining other municipalities’ regulations and best practices regarding wood burning.
Partnership in Action
The City of Kingston is excited to announce a successful first year of partnership with the Center for the Study of Land, Air and Water at Bard College on the Kingston Air Quality Initiative (KAQI). KAQI began in January of 2020 as a means of protecting the good air quality Kingston residents have come to enjoy. This partnership was announced for the first time in September 2020 for the first annual “Clean Air for Blue Skies Day” [though monitoring began in January, 2020]. This is an initiative of the United Nations Climate and Clean Air Coalition, which focuses on improving air quality to protect human health while addressing climate change. In Kingston, these monitoring efforts have been part of an overarching mission to assure the quality of our air through science and public outreach.
Dr. Eli Dueker installing the MetOne 212-2 particle profiler at our field site atop the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center in Midtown, Kingston.
See LIVE Data from our Weather Station above the AMNC NOW
Air quality monitoring and data analysis has been conducted by Kingston residents, students, staff, and faculty of the Bard Community Science Lab in collaboration with the City of Kingston. Through the Community Science Lab, scientists and communities conduct science together with the goal of addressing local priorities. The City of Kingston’s Conservation Advisory Council’s Air Quality Sub-Committee has been working on air quality as part of the CAC’s mission. The primary pollutant of concern with respect to our monitoring is particulate matter, with a particular emphasis on particulate matter 2.5.
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Vehicle Idling and Vehicle Emissions REDUCTION
According to Kingston's Climate Action Plan (September 2012), idling an internal combustion engine can burn a half gallon to one gallon of fuel per hour, depending on the engine size and air conditioner (AC) use.
Recommendations from the Climate Action Plan to reduce transportation related emissions:
- Adopt local anti-idling ordinance.
- Work with local institutions and businesses such as Health Alliance to reduce vehicle idling.
- Work with delivery services to reduce vehicle idling.
- Work with Kingston City School District to reduce school bus idling by creating idle-free zones around schools.
- Investigate clean diesel technologies to reduce diesel emissions and their impact on human health.
- Replace old equipment with clean diesel equipment.
- Retrofit existing equipment to reduce diesel emissions.
- Examine and consider the use of bio-diesel in City equipment.
- Require any contractors within the City of use clean diesel equipment.
NYS Environmental Conservation Law prohibits heavy duty vehicles, including diesel trucks and buses, from idling for more than five (5) minutes at a time.
Simple tips to remember:
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Drive at the speed limit
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Avoid sudden stops or starts
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Resist topping off the fuel tank
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Check tire pressure monthly
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Keep your vehicle well-maintained
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A PROGRAM FOR CITY OF KINGSTON EMPLOYEES!
Go Green!
Introducing New Programs to
Reduce Stress, Save Money, and Have Fun!
511NY Rideshare has partnered with the City of Kingston to provide its employees with commuter services that includes ridematching for carpools, resources for transit, biking, walking and Park & Ride lots. Discover the many benefits of sharing the ride…
- Save money
- Reduce stress
- Improve air quality
Getting started is quick, easy, and FREE. Click here to be directed to the City of Kingston’s personalized rideshare portal and connect with other city employees who share either part of or your whole commute. You’ll also have access to New York State’s 511NY network for real-time travel, transit and traffic updates.
Plus, there’s more! If you carpool, use transit, or bike or walk to work, 511NY Rideshare ensures a guaranteed ride from work when an emergency happens at no cost to you. We’ll pay for you to get to your destination by taxi or designated service provider. To find out more and to register for the Hudson Valley Guaranteed Ride Program click here.
If you have any questions about this program please feel to contact Caroline Stupple, the Ulster County Outreach Manager for 511NY Rideshare, at cstupple@511nyrideshare.org.
511NY Rideshare is sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation to provide free commuter and traveler services.