Throughout the year, the ACOG Clean Air Committee, which includes staff from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), City of Oklahoma City, Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (METRO Transit), Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), OGE Energy Corp. (OG&E), Chesapeake Energy and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, works to educate the public on things that they can do as individuals to improve air quality and reduce transportation related emissions. The committee also monitors the level of ozone and carbon monoxide in the region's air and implements the Clean Air Alert Day program in Central Oklahoma.

 

In 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tightened ozone standards, citing the need to protect 125 million Americans, including 35 million children, from adverse health effects caused by air pollution. In Central Oklahoma, the new standard caused great concern because it coincided with one of the worst three-year spans of summer weather in state history, making adherence to the standard difficult.

 

Prior to that time, public education efforts regarding air quality in Central Oklahoma had largely been done through donated media time, the creation of news stories, public service announcements and through the Clean Air Alert Day program. In 2000, the Committee began to develop strategic marketing and public education programming using paid media in order to emphasize the importance of air quality to the region.

 

Despite periodic episodes of high ozone levels during the past decade, the region has been able to stay in compliance, thanks largely in part to public involvement and responsible citizen activity. Since 1997, cumulative regional ozone levels have gradually declined.

 

2010 Campaign Creative

 

 

 

 

2008 Campaign Creative

 

 

2006 Campaign Creative

 

 

Get Your Own Square of Clean Air!

Clean air in Central Oklahoma translates into a better quality of life for our citizens. Through an annual public education campaign, the ACOG Clean Air Committee proactively shares tips on reducing harmful ground-level ozone.

 

 

 

 

 

Butterflies