Plano, Texas is among four cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area acknowledged by Air North Texas for employing outreach strategies. These efforts aim to motivate individuals and employers to actively contribute to meeting the federal government's ozone standards for the region.
Currently, ten counties in North Texas fall short of the Environmental Protection Agency's regulations on ozone pollution, necessitating additional environmental responsibilities for the region.
The City of Plano earned recognition for its Outstanding Initiative, attributed to the creation of a comprehensive educational webpage dedicated to air quality on the city's website. The "Live Green in Plano" webpage serves as the primary online hub for sustainability content, provides information on air quality and facilitates direct connections to Air North Texas. The city emphasizes various aspects, including alternative transportation, energy conservation, green building practices, renewable energy and online learning modules.
Air North Texas, a regional public awareness campaign comprising 38 partners dedicated to environmental awareness in the North Texas region, was established by the North Central Texas Council of Governments with the support of the Air North Texas Coalition. The campaign's partners actively promote improved air quality by encouraging residents to take actions such as working from home, cycling, walking to the store and packing lunches. Annually, partner governments submit progress reports based on criteria outlined in the Air North Texas Partner Agreement, showcasing their efforts in advancing air quality in North Texas.
Air North Texas represents one of several strategies aimed at enhancing air quality in the region. The campaign urges individuals and employers to adopt simple changes in their daily routines to reduce emissions and contribute to creating cleaner air.
While the ozone season in North Texas spans from March through November, there is a year-round call for residents, businesses and governments to contribute to ongoing efforts to improve air quality.