August ~ area doctors place an ad in newspapers to raise awareness of poor air quality in our area
October ~ concerned church members begin meeting to address the poor air quality
November ~ Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania emerged out of this faith-based group
November ~ sent letter out to area clergy about the formation of CAB and asked for their support
December ~ contacted congregations by email to ask them to sign the CAB resolution
January 19 ~ participated in a press conference in the Capitol rotunda with PennEnvironment, Clean Air Council, and American Lung Association.
February 22 ~ participated in press conference with Clean Air Task Force and PennFuture regarding lowering of EPA air quality standards for PM 2.5 (soot pollution).
March 1 ~ CAB met with David Mazur, Director of PennEnvironment
March 15 ~ CAB website launched (www.CleanAirBoard.org)
March 6 ~ Reverend McKenna met with DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty
March 8 ~ CAB testified at the EPA public hearing in Philadelphia regarding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate
March 13 ~ produced brochure for the Symposium
March 14 ~ met with Cumberland County Commissioner Rick Rovegno
March 21 ~ produced DVD of Dr. Philip Carey speaking about the effects of PM 2.5 on our health
March 24 ~ Mission Statement developed
March 27 ~ met with Dickinson College Community Studies Department to investigate possibilities of future partnership
April 6 ~ first official Clean Air Board Central Pennsylvania meeting at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Carlisle
April 6 ~ Mission Statement formally adopted;
The Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania is a faith-based organization dedicated to achieving clean air to protect our health and quality of life.
We accomplish our mission by...
~ raising public awareness of air quality issues
~ advocating, promoting and coordinating policy and practices for clean air
~ monitoring air quality
April 14 ~ Articles of Incorporation received
April 20 ~ presentation to the Central Cumberland County Task Force on Regional Development
April 20 ~ presentation to the Y’s Men Club of Carlisle
April 21 ~ press conference with DEP at Keen Transport announcing their commitment (at CAB request) of $75,000 for air quality testing with mobile monitor and a year long air monitor at one site.
April 22 ~ CAB “Pollution in Paradise” Symposium (attendance over 200)
May ~ met with Cumberland County Commissioner Bruce Barclay
May 18 ~ CAB strategy meeting
June 1 ~ CAB adopted by-laws
June 27 ~ mini symposium with CAB participating in a panel presentation with Jesse Keen of Keen Transport and area trucking company owners and warehouse owners encouraging them to enforce anti-idling on their properties
June 26 ~ made a presentation to the York Grass Roots Environmental Club
June 29th ~ met with Carlisle Chamber of Commerce, L egislative Affairs Committee
July 11 ~ met with Senator Pat Vance Chief of Staff, Mark Ryan
July 14 ~ met with Sentinel Editor, Hope Stephan
July ~ had phone conference call with PennFuture, PennEnvironment, American Lung Association, Clean Air Council, GASP, an independent environmental attorney, Clean Water Action, Philadelphia Air Management Services, and Clean Air Task Force
July 17 ~ attended Dickinson Township Supervisors meeting to support clean air focus
July ~ DEP mobile monitors tested four locations for the prospect of one being a suitable site for the stationary AQ monitor
August 8 ~ produced a limited number of a DRAFT of the Health Brochure for our fundraising letter and school district approval
August 8 ~ fundraising letter to doctors who signed the original ad went out with request for money for Health Brochure production
August 9 ~ presentation to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission in Harrisburg
August 9 ~ by invitation, CAB attended the DEP media event where Secretary McGinty officially opened 72 IdleAire. She symbolically signed the Transportation Industry’s Anti-idling Resolution to support the Keen initiative.
August 24 ~ met with DEP about the year-long air quality monitor location
August 28 ~ every Sunday night through October 16 worked on anti-idling petitions
September 7 ~ fundraising letter sent to physicians in the Pennsylvania Medical Society
September 9 ~ Power Point presentation developed for CAB presentations
September 13 ~ contacted Carlisle Arts Learning Center about having a contest to design a logo for CAB
September 14 ~ presentation by panel to Dickinson College Student Leaders through College Community Connection Committee Office
September 19 ~ presentation to Pennsylvania Motor Transportation Association Board of Directors and asked for their support of our anti-idling petitions
September 19 ~ presentation to Cumberland County Medical Society and received their support
September 20 ~ presentation to Second Presbyterian Church
September 27 ~ distributed CAB information at the Appalachian Audubon Society event with Walkin’ Jim’s Forever Wild Concert at Mechanicsburg Middle School
October 8 ~ presentation to First Presbyterian Church
October 9 ~ presentation to Western Cumberland County Council of Governments and received their support for anti-idling petitions
October 13 ~ presentation to Congressman Todd Platts
October 16 ~ presentation to South Middleton School District School Board
October17 ~ presentation to Carlisle Ministerium
October 18 ~ press conference in state capitol about our anti-idling petitions
October 18 ~ petitioned Environmental Quality Board of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Agency to enact statewide anti-idling regulations
October 18 ~ petitioned Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to enact/enforce statewide anti-idling regulations
October ~ presentation to the Pennsylvania Medical Society and asked for their support of CAB anti-idling initiatives
October 27 ~ CAB event showing of “An Inconvenient Truth”
October 29 ~ meeting to determine next steps for air quality monitoring
October 30 ~ over 400 people and five congregations have signed the CAB resolution
November 1-30 ~ participated in the comment period for the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study
November 3 ~ met with the Legislative Action Committee of the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce asking for their support of our anti-idling petitions
November 14 ~ presentation to Carlisle Hospital Board President and CEO
November 16 ~ WITF TV featured Chuck, Jen, and CAB on their show about warehouses
November 19 ~ “Next Steps” planning meeting for CAB
November 20 ~ participated in public comment on the 2006 Harrisburg Area Transit Study
November 20 ~ presentation to the West Shore Council of Governments
November 28 ~ panel presentation at Dickinson College EarthNOW Seminar
November 30 ~ over 500 people and seven congregations have signed the CAB resolution
December 1 ~ met with Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation staff
December 1 ~ attended the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study Technical Committee meeting where they responded to our public comments and questions about the Study they do every four years
December 1 ~ published 15,000 Children’s Health Brochures for distribution in schools
December 7 ~ Congressman Todd Platts looked into our application for nonprofit status with the IRS and received the explanation that with Hurricane Katrina, there is a backlog and priority rightfully being given to those charities applications
December 14 ~ attended DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting where Joyce Epps, the director of Air Quality, reported that the Department would recommend that the EQB accept CAB petition as "appropriate for rulemaking by the EQB”. The acceptance of the petition does not mean that the EQB will approve the regulation. It triggers a staff report on the merits of the proposed regulation which is the next step.
December 15 ~ attended the HATS Coordinating Committee meeting
December 20 ~ presentations to the DEP Environmental Quality Board staff members; Jennifer Minich with Representative George’s office, Richard Fox with Senator Ray Musto's office, and Patrick Henderson with Senator Mary Jo White's office
December 21 ~ presentation to Carlisle Area School District School Board
January 2 ~ phone conversation with Secretary McGinty about the AQ monitor for Carlisle and grants for alternate power units for truck drivers
January 4 ~ met with Senator Pat Vance about our anti-idling petition to the EQB
January 4 ~ Mike Ridgeway Outreach Coordinator, Air Quality Partnership of the Susquehanna Valley came to our Community Meeting for information sharing opportunity for our two organizations and a discussion for future collaboration
January 5 ~ met with Kirk Stoner, Director of the Cumberland County Planning Commission
January 8 ~ A United Way program for new mothers called “Success by 6” has agreed to include the CAB Children’s Health brochure in all their packets for new mothers
January 10 ~ presentation to two 3rd grade classes at Broad Street Elementary School in Mechanicsburg
January 13 ~ CAB interviewed by WHYL radio station host Rick Smith
January 16 ~ received letter of support for the CAB anti-idling petitions from the Cumberland County Commissioners
January 17 ~ presentation to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Quality Board (EQB) about our anti-idling petition
January 17 ~ The Environmental Quality Board (EQB), an independent state board that approves environmental regulations, voted unanimously to accept for study the CAB petition to determine if a regulation limiting commercial diesel-engine idling is needed to improve air quality in Pennsylvania.
January 17 ~ presentation to the DEP EQB Citizens Advisory Council
January 19 ~ Carlisle Area School District distributed the CAB Children’s Health brochure to all their students (K-8 was take home with 9-12 mailed in the newsletter)
February 3 ~ CAB submitted the only comments on the DEP intention to submit a proposed revision of the state implementation plan for the 8-hour ozone standard for the Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle area. CAB believes that the Commonwealth has made great strides in attaining the ozone ambient air quality standard. However, DEP has installed no monitoring stations for ozone either in Carlisle or Lebanon. CAB requested that DEP monitor ambient ozone concentrations in Carlisle and Lebanon. CAB believes that the lack of actual measurements of ambient ozone concentrations in the Carlisle area is a serious impediment to redesignation. CAB requested that the Carlisle area not be declared attainment until DEP has received or taken measurements of ozone in Carlisle.
February 6 ~ met with Mechanicsburg Borough Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) at their request to look at partnership possibilities
February 22 ~ spoke at the Carlisle Borough Community Planning and Quality of Life Committee meeting about truck traffic in Carlisle.
February 23 ~ participated in a press conference at the request of the Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation announcing their air quality assessment done for the Carlisle area with it concluding there is an air quality problem
March 13 ~ presentation to Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation Board of Directors
March 17 ~ in light of area municipalities and townships starting to develop their own anti-idling laws, CAB sent them our state-wide anti-idling petition to encourage its use as a model
March 20 ~ Carlisle Arts Learning Center Open House announced the winner of the CAB poster contest, Malcolm Scobell
March 21 ~ DEP gave their response to the CAB anti-idling petition at the Citizen’s Advisory Committee meeting
March 23 ~ met with President Bill Durden of Dickinson College
March 10 ~ made Power Point presentation on CDs for teachers to use in the classrooms about the hazards of diesel particulate matter (DPM)
April 10 ~ several CAB members participated on the panel of Dickinson College Clark Forum for Contemporary Issues program, “Local Air Quality: Past, Present & Future?”
April 15 ~ presentation to Harrisburg Market Street Presbyterian Church
April 26 ~ presentation to North Middleton Township Board of Supervisors
April 27 ~ presentation to the Middlesex Township Board of Supervisors
April 27 ~ presentation to the Carlisle Regional Medical Center hospital staff
May 1 ~ presentation to Carlisle Rotary Club
May 3 ~ CAB Community meeting with presentation on Rails by Tom Sweeney
May 5 ~ CAB participated in the Mechanicsburg Parks and Rec E-day 2007 or Environmental Earth Education event
May 6 ~ “Flip the Switch” CAB party to celebrate the DEP air quality stationary monitor installation and presentation of the CABBIE awards
May 10 ~ met with PennDOT, PA State Troopers and DEP to discuss enforcement options for a statewide anti-idling regulation. The importance of driver and truck stop operator education was emphasized.
May 15 ~ presentation to Market Street Presbyterian Church Sessions
May 16 ~ DEP response to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) about the CAB anti-idling petition http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/pubpartcenter/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=515987
DEP recommendations to the EQB:
• A statewide idling rule would eliminate some diesel emissions and contribute to progress towards meeting and maintaining air standards as well as have fuel benefits.
• DEP is authorized to adopt a regulation; law enforcement agencies could also enforce.
• A few counties are disproportionately affected by idling, but the state and national trucking industry prefer statewide consistency.
• Proactive, educational enforcement would be most effective, including drivers, fleet owners, and property owners.
• The Department should move forward with development of a proposed regulation within six months, considering the petitioner’s suggested language as well as the EPA model.
The EQB voted to accept the recommendations.
May 18 ~ Unitarian Universalists of Cumberland Valley held a press conference at Keen Transport announcing that with a generous matching gift designated for purchase of an air quality monitor of $7,500 from Keen Transport, they have met their goal to purchase a portable, real-time monitor for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in air. CAB will maintain and operate the monitor.
May 24 ~ met with DEP to explain how CAB came up with the language for the anti-idling petition and our progress to date. DEP also reviewed the regulatory process going forward.
June 30 ~ CAB had an information table at Carlisle Summerfair and sold t-shirts and note cards and handed out our brochures
July 25 ~ CAB met with Joe Deklinski, executive director for Representative Scott Hutchinson of Vernango County (Environmental Resources and Energy Committee). On behalf of Rep. Hutchinson, Joe Deklinski cast the only "no" vote at the Environmental Quality Board meeting on May 16 on the motion to direct DEP to develop an anti-idling regulation. We asked Mr. Deklinski to explain the "no" vote and also talked at length about the merits of the proposed regulation.
July 26 ~ DEP's Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee voted to approve sending the draft anti-idling regulation on to the Environmental Quality Board.
August 2 ~ Due to our work in reducing diesel pollution, CAB was invited to join the National Partnership to Reduce Diesel Pollution, and sign on to their platform. CAB attended the annual meeting of the National Partnership to Reduce Diesel Pollution, sponsored by the Clean Air Task Force, in Manchester, NH, on August 2-3. The partnership's current goal is to clean up diesel emissions of the trucks that are still on the road that do not meet EPA’s requirements for new truck engines. They also want to reduce diesel emissions from other sources (such as marine vessels, agricultural and construction equipment, and school buses.) They believe that they can achieve a 90% reduction in diesel particulate by using a combination of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel.
August 30 ~ CAB partnered with DEP, GASP, and CAC to be part of a DEP application for an EPA Grant.
August 30 ~ EPA held public hearings to receive comments on the agency's proposed revisions to the national air quality standards for ground level-ozone. In June, EPA proposed to strengthen the standards, recommending a standard within a range of 0.070 to 0.075 parts per million (ppm). The current standard is 0.08 ppm. CAB participated in the EPA comment period in Philadelphia and urged the EPA panel to reduce the current ozone standard, 0.08 parts per million to one below 0.070 parts per million, which is consistent with what EPA’s own Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee have advised. The Committee has stated that the primary ozone standard should be between 0.060 ppm and 0.070 ppm to protect the public health.
September 13 ~ CAB joined Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Downtown Carlisle Association, LeTort Regional Authority, Dickinson College and other organizations to encourage Borough Council to proceed with a comprehensive traffic study of the downtown and its surrounds for the purpose of preserving and enhancing the long term viability of the downtown area.
Consistent with the goals reflected in the Borough’s adopted comprehensive plan, we believe that a comprehensive traffic study should be done to identify appropriate strategies for addressing the following:
• Determining a flow of traffic that enhances an intimate, small town feeling by “calming” traffic
• Reducing pollutants
• Promoting walking by making it easier for pedestrians to cross the street
• Promoting bicycling by providing bicycle access through the downtown to areas of employment and recreational areas
• Reducing the potential for vehicle accidents
• Maximizing business success in the downtown
• Reducing noise levels
• Improving the accessibility and safety of parking
The strategies to address these goals should be crafted in such as way that there is negligible or no impact on local business, including but not limited to, warehousing and distribution businesses.
September ? ~ CAB presentation to the South Middleton Board of Supervisors (delayed due to Trammel Crow hearings)
October 9 ~ CAB Candidates’ Night at Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle at 7:00 PM
October 13 ~ CAB information and arts table at Carlisle’s Octuberfest
October 16 ~ DEP presented the anti-idling regulation to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB). The EQB approved the proposal of this regulation, with only one "no" vote by Joe Deklinski, alternate for Representative Scott E. Hutchinson. There will be a 60 day comment period after it is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This probably will happen in December, 2007. You may pick up a petition to collect signatures to support the regulation from the office of Second Presbyterian Church, Carlisle or contact Pam Frohman at PamFrohman@gmail.com . The date for returning the petitions to CAB is January 15, 2007.
October 20 ~ CAB received letter of support from Carlisle Regional Medical Center
November 1 ~ participated in the survey for the Carlisle borough comprehensive traffic study
November 3 ~ participated in the Dickinson College environmental clubs sponsored ‘Step It Up 2007’ program at Carlisle Central Farmers’ Market
November 8 ~ CAB met with Mike Hurley, transportation director for Carlisle Area School District about stopping unnecessary bus idling and began formulating a pilot outreach/educational program for drivers
November 9 ~ participated in the Carlisle borough traffic study stakeholder’s group to define scope of the traffic study
November 13 ~ met with Rohrer school bus company owner, John Schrantz and his manager and began formulating an outreach program on anti-idling for all their drivers, which include 14 school districts
November 19 ~ presentation about anti-idling to the CASD bus drivers at their quarterly meeting. We developed and distributed a CAB information flyer to all the drivers
November 20 ~ CAB met with George Pomeroy, director of the Center for Land Use and Associate Professor of Geography-Earth Science at Shippensburg University . He is working on a report for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania about the trucking and warehouse industry. He met with board members to discuss 1) who could be part of a stakeholder’s group and 2) ideas of provisions or considerations a municipality could make when writing their ordinances or regulations concerning trucks, warehouses, drop-lots etc. This report, although based on economics, could give some guidelines to help protect the health, safety and welfare of citizens.
November 25 ~ presentation to Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church
November 27 ~ presentation to the Mechanicsburg Area Adult Environmental Club
November 28 ~ CAB, UUCV and Keen Transport held a joint press conference at Keen to unveil the portable air quality monitor and announce the winner of the ‘name the monitor’ contest, Connie Rae Clark of Marysville, PA. Her winning entry is ‘Airestotle’.
November 27 ~ met with Cindy Small of Carlisle Regional Medical Center to formulate a plan of how CAB and CRMC could work together
December 4 ~ DEP held public meetings on its proposed re-designation of areas in Pennsylvania which do not meet the new 24 hour fine particulate standard (35 ug/m3). Cumberland , Dauphin, and Lebanon counties will be part of a three county non-attainment planning area. Lancaster and York counties also do not attain the standard, but will be separate planning areas. CAB sent a letter commenting in support of the re-designation.
January 6, 13 & 20 ~ participated on a panel for Dickinson Presbyterian Church
January 25 ~ met with the Pennsylvania Medical Society about proposed anti-idling regulations and legislation
January 30 ~ participant on the Dickinson College 's Focus the Nation educational panel on “Global Warming Solutions”
Feb. 12 ~ met with Representative Will Gabig and staff on anti-idling bill and tax incentives for retrofitting diesel engines
February 13 ~ gave testimony before the Environmental Quality Board on the proposed anti-idling regulations. Over 2500 people signed petitions to support the regulations and many organizations contributed supportive comments as well.
March 5 ~ CABBIE Award Ceremony and Reception honoring technician John Steigleman and Physics Professor Howard C. Long. CABBIE ( Clean Air Board Bold Innovators for the Environment) Awards were presented for their research on the air quality in Cumberland County thirty-five years ago. ‘Airestotle', our air quality monitor made his first public appearance at the reception after spending two weeks on Tome Science Center , Dickinson College to gather data to compare to the 1970's data.
March ~ CAB continues to participate on the Carlisle Comprehensive Traffic Stakeholder's Group
March 17 ~ met with Representative Joseph Markosek Transportation Committee Chair (D) and Bob Mustin about anti-idling legislation
April 1 ~ CAB commented at a public hearing sponsored by DEP and PennDOT on proposed revisions to the transportation conformity provisions of the state implementation plan (SIP)
April 2 ~ met with Representative Mark Keller, Representative Rick Geist Transportation Committee Chair (R), Gregory Grasa, Legislative Research Analyst Transportation Committee and Eric Bugaile, Executive Director of the Transportation Committee (R) about anti-idling legislation
April 3 ~ participant on the Cumberland County Smart Growth Partnership inaugural meeting. Kirk Stoner, Director of Planning for Cumberland County worked with the Commissioners to form a group called the Cumberland County Smart Growth Partnership. The Partnership will provide input and guidance to the Commissioners on Smart Growth issues in the county
April 3 ~ the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection received a matching grant from EPA to educate diesel highway vehicle owners and operators and the owners/operators of facilities where these vehicles may idle about the benefits of idling reduction through a Diesel Partnership (CAB is one of the partners)
April 10 ~ gave testimony before the Pennsylvania House of Representative Transportation Committee at their hearings on anti-idling legislation
April 10 ~ supported the Comprehensive Traffic Study of Downtown Carlisle recommendation of the engineering firm on the Borough Council agenda
April 15 ~ presentation to Carlisle Rotary
April 21 ~ met with DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty and her AQ staff about air quality monitoring in Cumberland County
April 24 ~ presentation to Dickinson College ‘Treehouse' community dinner
May 16 ~ will participate in the Mechanicsburg Middle School educational event with ‘Airestotle' as part of ‘Environmental Days' or ‘E-days'. AQ data will be collected prior to this event
May 16 ~ participated in the Mechanicsburg Middle School educational event with ‘Airestotle’ as part of ‘Environmental Days’ or ‘E-days’. AQ data will be collected prior to this event
May 20 ~ DEP reported to its Citizen Advisory Council that DEP was preparing final rule for restrictions on diesel vehicle idling
May ~ DEP's Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee considers DEP's final rule proposal for restrictions on diesel vehicle idling.
June 5 ~ CAB “Next Steps” Planning Meeting Part 1
June 8 ~ CAB submits written comments to DEP on its proposed air quality monitoring network plan for 2009
July 10 ~ CAB “Next Steps” Planning Meeting Part 2