HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201722.tiffPUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
1111 H STREET / P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, COLORADO 80632
WEBSITE: WWW.WELDGOV.COM
PHONE: (970) 400-3750
FAX: (970) 304-6497
June 3, 2020
Regional Air Quality Council
Mr. Michael Silverstein
Executive Director
1445 Market Street, Suite 260
Denver, CO 80202
Re: Funding Request
Dear Mr. Silverstein,
In response to your letter dated May 29, 2020 and on behalf of the Weld County Board of County
Commissioners, I am notifying you that Weld County will not be contributing funding to the RAQC.
If you have any questions about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at 970-400-3748.
Sincerely,
"la
Elizabeth Relford
Deputy Director
cc: Board of County Commissioners
Don Warden, Director of Finance & Administration
2020-1722
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RAC
REGIONAL AIR QUALITY COUNCIL
May 29, 2020
Mr. Mike Freeman
County Commissioner
Weld County
Weld County Colorado 1150 O ST., PO Box 758
Greeley, CO 80632
Dear Commissioner Freeman:
I am writing on behalf of the Regional Air Quality Council to request funding from Weld County to
support our ongoing air quality planning work program. This is a time of greater than usual
challenge for local governments, agencies, and citizens, and we sincerely appreciate your
consideration for this coming year.
In preparing your 2021 budget, we ask that you include $48,200 to support the RAQC's work
program. The RAQC will continue to focus on four primary areas:
1. Performing technical analyses and developing emission control strategies designed to
improve air quality in the most cost-effective manner;
2. Implementing education and outreach programs that encourage citizens and businesses
to take actions that reduce emissions;
3. Reducing harmful emissions from vehicles and lawn/garden equipment by providing
funding for electric vehicles, infrastructure and equipment; and
4. Assisting local governments with implementing air quality programs and practices.
Summertime ozone is our greatest air quality challenge. Though we have made great progress
improving the region's air quality, we have for the past 20 years experienced unhealthy levels of
ground -level ozone pollution. As the lead planning agency for our "serious" nonattainment area,
the RAQC is working hard to develop and implement sound plans and effective strategies to
achieve ozone standards over the next 4 years.
Many local government agencies and public fleets have benefited from air quality improving
services and funding provided by the RAQC and its partners. Through our Simple Steps. Better
Air. education and outreach program, our ALT Fuels Colorado, and Charge Ahead Colorado
vehicle electrification programs, and our Mow Down Pollution lawn mower electrification
program, the RAQC is assisting local governments and their residents to reduce air pollutants
that contribute to summertime ozone pollution. We would welcome the opportunity to work with
you and your staff to take advantage of our programs and funding opportunities. Our staff can
also be a valuable resource for local governments that are considering their own air quality
initiatives.
the Denver Metro/North Front Range region's air quality planning agency
1445 Market Street, Suite 260 • Denver, CO 80202
P: (303) 629-5450 F: (303) 629-5822
RAQC.org I CleanAirFleets.org I SimpleStepsBetterAir.org
This past year the RAQC received strong support and input from the region's local governments.
We received funding from 30 local jurisdictions, and one-third of our Board members represent
local governments. Local government involvement and support is critical to the success of our
regional air quality improvement efforts. These next few years are critical - respiratory health is
more important than ever. Not only do we need to recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic but we
need to begin attaining the health -based ozone standards.
The RAQC looks forward to working with Weld County as we address our regional air quality
challenges. If you or your staff need additional information regarding this funding request or our
services, please do not hesitate to contact me. We appreciate your support and we hope to hear
from you as your budget discussions progress.
Sincerely,
Michael Silverstein
Executive Director
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