Buy gas and mow your yard tonight!
http://www.ozonealert.com/index.htm
The north monitor is showing very high readings from a slight southernly breeze that is going to stop tomorrow. We could be in trouble.
Make Wind!
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 23, 2009, 04:27:41 PM
Buy gas and mow your yard tonight!
http://www.ozonealert.com/index.htm
The north monitor is showing very high readings from a slight southernly breeze that is going to stop tomorrow. We could be in trouble.
Make Wind!
Already planned on mowing tonight, but glad you mentioned this so I would go through with it.
This issue has such an easy solution, I'm not sure why the masses are troubled with it every summer.
If the trash plant, Sunoco and/or Sinclair would turn down the dial 25% on OAD's, problem solved.
I'm sure there's a number of other businesses dumping into the air here that could contribute to the solution, perhaps where all might need only notch it down 5-10%, or less, on those days.
Or add some sort of service charge to gas on those days. And small fine if caught mowing,
I'll be on the bicycle tomorrow, Michael, but I'm sorry about one thing. Due to the recent go-round with, um, 'intestinal distress', I can't help but make wind.
(chortle)
We need a wind power generation farm near the ozone detectors. On Ozone alert days, pull some power from the grid and turn the generators into fans to disperse the ozone. ;D
I had the same idea: raising the cost of gas on OADs. Have the City charge $.10/gallon (or $.50) and invest the revenue into clean air measures including bike/pedestrian infrastructure and transit.
I'm cool with that.
Quote from: OurTulsa on June 23, 2009, 11:01:51 PM
I had the same idea: raising the cost of gas on OADs. Have the City charge $.10/gallon (or $.50) and invest the revenue into clean air measures including bike/pedestrian infrastructure and transit.
I'm cool with that.
It would cause an uproar but I'd be down with it too. If an OAD is announced the night before, go and fill up either that night or early morning before the price goes up at, say 7 am. Continue the increased price of gas all day until the evening and if another OAD is issued do it all over again with a 'window' of normal prices from dusk until dawn. Make it county-wide and have county revenues go to the aforementioned bike/ped. infrastructure and mass transit. Tulsa could generate some positive press and it would decrease fill-ups on OAD's.
And I agree, we need to pressure the industries to do more especially on OAD's. They are a huge contributor.
Changing the price for certain hours as described above might be an accounting difficulty. Anyone here have a convenience store? Would the cash register software handle something like that? Maybe some of the increase would need to go to the merchant to cover increased accounting costs.
Quote from: Red Arrow on June 24, 2009, 08:59:03 AM
Changing the price for certain hours as described above might be an accounting difficulty. Anyone here have a convenience store? Would the cash register software handle something like that? Maybe some of the increase would need to go to the merchant to cover increased accounting costs.
I believe that's what is commonly referred to as a massive cluster f@ck
Woot! I did, I did. We mowed our lawn and bought gas. Will notch the AC up a couple degrees tomorrow and driving trips after work.
Michael:
Have you ever talked to the Tulsa Airport about pushing/pulling planes to the runway or at least having them taxi with one engine during OZONE ALERT days? That would probably help a lot more than Joe Blow not mowing.
I have not had that direct conversation with the airport. I will try and work it in. The airline industry is responsible for about 11 percent of greenhouse gases emitted by the U.S. transportation sector.
Jet fuel actually has many other problems than contributing to ozone. It is a mixture of a wide variety of hydrocarbons, but includes some intersting additives including antistatic agents. Jet fuel is also allowed to add lead to the fuel, something prohibited with other transportation fuels.
Mobil sources are half the problem. It is almost impossible to "turn down the dial" on a large industrial process as was mentioned earlier in the thread. Many of the emitters would probably emit more if you tried to change the process on a few days of the year. A complete and efficient fire is by far the cleaner burn.
Trying to blame industry for the issue is a copout. They are heavily regulated and have few options. We, on the other hand can change our behavior on the few days a year that would make a difference.
Tomorrow is now an ozone alert day as well.
The west Tulsa county monitor has a one-hour reading of over 100 parts per billion.
http://www.ozonealert.com/index.htm
I wouldn't let the kids play outside or go for a run if I lived in Mannford today.
Something else which might help is useless idling on OA days. The BA was close to a parking lot where they throttled it down to one lane during lunch hour for work. Another problem area for idling is the stop light system on Yale from about 81st to 31st. You hit one stop light and you wind up in stop light hell for five miles. I've had that happen many times. It's especially bad on a motorcycle on a day like today. They need to re-engineer the timing on Yale. It sucks.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 24, 2009, 01:43:41 PM
Something else which might help is useless idling on OA days. The BA was close to a parking lot where they throttled it down to one lane during lunch hour for work. Another problem area for idling is the stop light system on Yale from about 81st to 31st. You hit one stop light and you wind up in stop light hell for five miles. I've had that happen many times. It's especially bad on a motorcycle on a day like today. They need to re-engineer the timing on Yale. It sucks.
The secret is to just run one red light, then you get nothing but greens from then on ;)
I wasn't trying to blame the airlines. But while aviation is only 11% of the transit pollution, a hugely disproportional part of that is emitted while the engines are on the ground. They are made to be efficient and low pollution at operating speed and altitude. Thus, pollution "pockets" are very common and visible on any urban pollution map around airports.
Just a suggestion. Everything helps and this would be a visible thing that would not only help, but might get the Tulsa Airport some positive national press - as well as any airline that cooperated (pssst AA).
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 24, 2009, 01:12:45 PM
I have not had that direct conversation with the airport. I will try and work it in. The airline industry is responsible for about 11 percent of greenhouse gases emitted by the U.S. transportation sector.
Jet fuel actually has many other problems than contributing to ozone. It is a mixture of a wide variety of hydrocarbons, but includes some intersting additives including antistatic agents. Jet fuel is also allowed to add lead to the fuel, something prohibited with other transportation fuels.
Mobil sources are half the problem. It is almost impossible to "turn down the dial" on a large industrial process as was mentioned earlier in the thread. Many of the emitters would probably emit more if you tried to change the process on a few days of the year. A complete and efficient fire is by far the cleaner burn.
Trying to blame industry for the issue is a copout. They are heavily regulated and have few options. We, on the other hand can change our behavior on the few days a year that would make a difference.
While 'turning down the dial' may not be possible in some cases, it surely is easy to start an hour later, end an hour early or both. It's much easier for a large industrial process to absorb a 5%-25% reduction for a day than it is for professional lawn mowers to loose 100% of their day, or the public to pay a premium for their continued normal operations.
That's not to say we shouldn't try to plan to get gas the night prior, or mow our lawn. Just those causing the other 'half' of the problem should participate. And, in serious conditions, they have the ability to directly affect the issue on a near-instantaneous basis.
While power plants frequently 'turn the dial' up and down, this is not the reason, theirs is demand driven. But, many processes can be turned down, or OFF for awhile without affecting things too much.
Another suggestion would be for drive-thru windows to close for a couple of hours during ozone peak periods. Park, get out of your car and go inside to get the goods, instead of siting idling for 20 minutes in your car.
I drove by Taco Bueno on 11th around 11:30am and the cars were fully around the building and out to 11th street. Probably 25 cars just sitting.
Maybe noon hour lunch time wouldn't be the time to close the drive thru, but say from 2:00-4:00 or 5:00, when ozone peaks, would help.
The "Bozone"
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uv3hfMG_RUE/SPK708YD90I/AAAAAAAAAo4/OlbGA-lkz00/s400/Humor-FS-BozoneLayerwwwwashingtonpostdotcom.jpg)
How bout that? Nice shower popped up over here on the east side. Cool down baby!!
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 24, 2009, 01:12:45 PM
I have not had that direct conversation with the airport. I will try and work it in. The airline industry is responsible for about 11 percent of greenhouse gases emitted by the U.S. transportation sector.
Jet fuel actually has many other problems than contributing to ozone. It is a mixture of a wide variety of hydrocarbons, but includes some intersting additives including antistatic agents. Jet fuel is also allowed to add lead to the fuel, something prohibited with other transportation fuels.
There's an interesting experiment going on right now using GPS to determine aircraft routing. The idea is that by using a GPS based navigation system, commercial aircraft will fly more direct routes using less fuel. The present nav system is based on the VOR network that dates back to the 1930s. It's more like the interstate highway system. For instance, a flight from Tulsa to Chicago often follows I-44 to St. Louis, then turns north toward ORD. A GPS route would allow the aircraft to fly directly between the two airports, without making that dogleg.
We failed today.
The limit is 75 parts per billion and we had one monitor at 76 parts per billion.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 24, 2009, 07:36:09 PM
We failed today.
The limit is 75 parts per billion and we had one monitor at 76 parts per billion.
...if only the guy who fired up the incinerator showed up five minutes late for work today.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 24, 2009, 01:12:45 PM
Jet fuel is also allowed to add lead to the fuel, something prohibited with other transportation fuels.
Just to be a pedantic freak, Jet A doesn't have lead in it, 100 low lead does. 100LL is for piston engined aircraft.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 24, 2009, 07:36:09 PM
We failed today.
The limit is 75 parts per billion and we had one monitor at 76 parts per billion.
We failed today -- yes.
Are we failing based on the current three-year fourth-highest? No. Did we fail today based on the 8-hr high? Absolutely (0.094ppb).
Not saying we shouldn't worry, but sometimes the sky-is-falling attitude may not be the best thing. If only that rain had happened out west where the monitor got to .106.
http://www.ozonealert.com/scorecard2009.html
Another noted tidbit: Yesterday was the first time Tulsa saw 100 in June since 1994.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 24, 2009, 07:36:09 PM
We failed today.
The limit is 75 parts per billion and we had one monitor at 76 parts per billion.
I demand a recount!
Here's another suggestion.
I don't know the exact legal requirements, but power providers and their large business customers have Power Reduction Plans on file for those times when power providers cannot meet demand and would otherwise have to initiate 'Brown Out' proceedures. By these industries going into their Power Reduction Plan, these brown outs are alleviated.
The same thing could happpen on Ozone Alert Days. Thus, Power Providers could 'turn down' their electric production. So, if a 1,000MW plant could cut down to say only 900MW for the day, there's a 10% reduction in their emissions. That'd be enough to offset anything we've demonstrated to date.
There's three major power plants in the immediate Tulsa area totalling around 2,000MW. If 200MW of energy didn't need to be produced, there'd be substantial reductions in emissions as well.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 24, 2009, 01:43:41 PM
Something else which might help is useless idling on OA days. The BA was close to a parking lot where they throttled it down to one lane during lunch hour for work. Another problem area for idling is the stop light system on Yale from about 81st to 31st. You hit one stop light and you wind up in stop light hell for five miles. I've had that happen many times. It's especially bad on a motorcycle on a day like today. They need to re-engineer the timing on Yale. It sucks.
Of course, it would also help if auto manufacturers had an "auto stop" feature when you're stuck in traffic or stopped at a stop light. I have one in my 10-year-old hybrid, and love it.
Also, get into the 21st century and buy a reel mower so you can mow at any old time! ;)
What happens when we fail? Fines? This unusual late June high pressure ridge should finally be moving west this weekend bringing northwest airflow and a chance of storms, and cooler temps. which should help keep ozone levels down. This kind of pattern is very common in late July into August and early September but unusual for June. Thankfully if this is what we have to deal with all summer all the rain we received in April and May should prevent water rationing and drought conditions..
Quote from: rwarn17588 on June 25, 2009, 10:11:14 AM
Of course, it would also help if auto manufacturers had an "auto stop" feature when you're stuck in traffic or stopped at a stop light. I have one in my 10-year-old hybrid, and love it.
Also, get into the 21st century and buy a reel mower so you can mow at any old time! ;)
I've considered the reel mower. A lot less dust and easier on my allergies. Cut grass is one of my worst allergy problems, but I like the exercize and take pride in doing my own lawn.
I used a reel mower for a while, but my tree drops too many limb and fruits which easily get caught and bring the mower to a stop.
I switched to an electric mower and LOVE IT!
Quote from: SXSW on June 25, 2009, 10:54:09 AM
What happens when we fail? Fines? .
They reported on the news that potentially gas could be 10 to 20 cents more expensive and speed limits could be reduced to a maximum of 55 mph just to name a few possible consequences.
I can't drive 55.
(http://www.yimsiam.com/cgi-bin/data/rockrockrock/pic/0007491.jpg)
Quote from: Conan71 on June 25, 2009, 11:37:38 AM
I've considered the reel mower. A lot less dust and easier on my allergies. Cut grass is one of my worst allergy problems, but I like the exercize and take pride in doing my own lawn.
I like mine. Sadly, the other person responsible for half the lawn decided they would rather pay someone to come do it. So if anybody wants a hardly used Scotts reel mower, I have one. ;)
I find the noise of gas mowers infuriating, and the Neutons are still too expensive for me. I did notice someone down the street mowing with one the other day. Not so noisy, I liked that. Did I mention how much lawnmower and weedeater engines annoy me?
And the whole limb/fruit/acorn/whatever issue? Just a good kick in the butt to rake every so often. ;D
Kick in the butt to rake every so often?
Not likely. Let me welcome you to Sweetgum hell!
Quote from: buckeye on June 25, 2009, 04:00:54 PM
Kick in the butt to rake every so often?
Not likely. Let me welcome you to Sweetgum hell!
Sycamores here...huge beautiful trees but serious pains in the rear...seed pods that look like sweetgum's and bark shedding like it's autumn in June...back yard and deck are covered
Quote from: Double A on June 25, 2009, 12:54:26 PM
They reported on the news that potentially gas could be 10 to 20 cents more expensive and speed limits could be reduced to a maximum of 55 mph just to name a few possible consequences.
I can't drive 55.
All the cars I and my family have owned have gotten their best gas mileage on the highway between 60 & 65 mph, NOT 55.
What happened to Tulsa Transit's free Ozone bus rides on Ozone days? I took the bus yesterday, and they said that they're doing 50 cent bus rides only on Fridays "during Ozone season."
This makes no sense to me, b/c not all Fridays will be Ozone days. And it's most important to reduce cars on the road on Ozone Days. What's up with that?
(Gotta run. Bus is coming in 10 minutes!)
Quote from: PonderInc on June 26, 2009, 10:34:46 AM
What happened to Tulsa Transit's free Ozone bus rides on Ozone days? I took the bus yesterday, and they said that they're doing 50 cent bus rides only on Fridays "during Ozone season."
This makes no sense to me, b/c not all Fridays will be Ozone days. And it's most important to reduce cars on the road on Ozone Days. What's up with that?
(Gotta run. Bus is coming in 10 minutes!)
I can understand reduced rates rather than free on Ozone days. The cost of operating the bus does not go to zero on Ozone Days. Hopefully an increased passenger load would offset the lower fares. I agree that Friday should have nothing to do with the fares and ozone.
TulsaTransit could not afford to offer free rides out of their budget a few years ago so we started trying to find sponsors to underwrite the cost. They also had quite a few homeless people just riding the busses on ozone days so they wanted to have some cost to the rides.
We made them fifty cents rides on ozone days a few years ago and they were fairly successful, but really just gave free rides for the regular riders and no new riders showed up. I suggested that we have all bus rides fifty cents on one day a week, thinking that people could plan ahead to ride the bus during the summer. It is also easier to budget (we know how many Fridays there are versus how many ozone days we will have).
It is a shift from an episodic campaign to an education effort all summer long. It is hard to change everything when you just find out on the evening news that the next day is an ozone alert day. I hope that if we could get people to try the bus one day a week, maybe we could make some new converts to mass transit.
Blame me. I thought having subsidized rides one day a week would potentially get more riders than just having them on a spontaneous occurance.
Here's my dream idea for getting people to "try" Tulsa Transit.
Get some celebrities to randomly ride busses on a given day ("Transit of the Stars"). So you jump on a bus, and--voila!--you happen to be on a bus with the Hansons, or Garth Brooks, or Alfre Woodard, or David Cook, or whomever.
I figure that if you could find celebrities who wanted to support earth-friendly transportation, they may be willing to do it. (Ride around for a few hours. Take pictures. Do some press. Hand out autographs.)
It would be hit or miss whether you landed on a lucky bus and spotted a celebrity, but you might get a whole lot of people to jump on board for a day. And once they rode the bus once, they may not be so intimidated to do it again on an ozone day.
Sure, it might create a zoo of commotion and craziness on that one day. But wouldn't it be worth it?
Imagine kids on Twitter: "David Cook is on the 210 bus going north on Harvard! Be at the stop at 11th and Harvard in 10 minutes!"
I only live 1.2 miles from my house. But I drive to work every day. I wear a suit and don't want to be all sweaty. I have to go to the courthouse and can't charge a client for the extra hour it would take to get there by bus.
I'm sure there are many like me who simply can't utilize public transit efficiently in Tulsa. Which is too bad. We never should have sold out to highways.
I lucked out because our building has a shower facility. I bike to work, shower and change into work clothes, work, change after work, and bike back home.
Quote from: cannon_fodder on June 30, 2009, 09:32:08 AM
I only live 1.2 miles from my house.
No sh!t???
Most people live at their house.
Quote from: cannon_fodder on June 30, 2009, 09:32:08 AM
I only live 1.2 miles from my house.
Must suck to get up in middle of the night and have to take a leak....
Quote from: swake on June 30, 2009, 10:46:20 AM
Must suck to get up in middle of the night and have to take a leak....
You guys are killin' me. :D
freaking roffles!!!