Arlington Comprehensive Plan Update Adopted 3-17-2015 | Page 110

Air

production has increased significantly
in recent years, there has been
Air pollution is the contamination of
expressed concern on the impact
our air by harmful substances. The
of this industry on cities in North
North Texas area is currently a nonTexas as it relates to air quality. In
attainment area for the pollutant
2012, the North Central Texas Council
ozone under the 2008 8-hour Ozone
of Governments (NCTCOG) began
Standard. According to the Texas
studying the activity and emissions
Commission on Environmental Quality estimates for on-road mobile sources
(TCEQ), in 2012, approximately 49
servicing the gas industry. The data
percent of Nitrogen Oxide emissions in and eventual findings will help cities in
the North Texas were caused by onNorth Texas get a better understanding
road mobile, i.e., cars and trucks.
of possible emission control measures.
In an effort to help address this
Energy
issue at the local level, the city has
implemented several initiatives such
In recent years, energy and
as adoption of a motor vehicle idling
conservation have become
ordinance that places restrictions on
synonymous with good design. “Green”
heavy duty vehicles to reduce overall
techniques increase the longevity of
emissions in the hotter months,
a community, minimize impacts on
when emissions are higher; and the
the environment, and reduce the use
purchasing of hybrid vehicles, where
of non-renewable materials. They also
feasible, when new vehicles are
lead to smaller, compactly designed
acquired for the city fleet.
neighborhoods with common open
areas. Neo-traditional design, transitThe TCEQ data noted that five
oriented developments, mixedpercent of Nitrogen Oxide emissions
use, and smart growth policies are
were caused by oil and gas drilling
often used to achieve sustainable
production. As gas exploration and
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