The Environmental Bulletin Board for the Ozarks Region
Air Quality
&
Energy Conservation
If you can see through it and not smell it, it’s OK, right? Well, unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. The Ozarks is quite fortunate to enjoy very healthy air, but it is healthy because of the hard work of individuals, business/industries, including local utilities, and volunteers. If you have a compromising health condition, you may want to sign up for air quality level alerts or find out where to check out air quality in real time.
Federal Webinars
The following webinars are being offered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies this month.
EPA webinars
Upcoming Webinars for State and Local Climate and Energy Programs
There are 32 upcoming webinars on climate and energy topics offered by federal agencies and others. All webinars are free of charge, but space may be limited or require registration in advance. Let us know if you have upcoming webinars you would like us to include in future newsletters. Our previous webinars can be found here.
Portfolio Manager. ENERGY STAR offers several webinars on Portfolio Manager every month. These webinars explain how to navigate different parts of Portfolio Manager, from basics to advanced features.
Portfolio Manager – Ask the Expert. Every other Wednesday at noon, ENERGY STAR holds Portfolio Manager "Ask the Expert" webinars that give users an opportunity to ask their questions directly to EPA experts in an open forum. Want to talk to a “real” person? Have a question about how Portfolio Manager calculates your score? Want to learn more about switching to Green Power? Join this public forum to ask your Portfolio Manager questions.
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US Department of Energy (DOE) webinars
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Real Time Air Quality Data
State: Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Federal: EPA
EnviroFlash Get air quality information here
Volkswagen Trust Funds
Volkswagen Trust Funds
Electric Charging Stations in the State of Missouri
Springfield City Utilities
City Utilities
Electric Vehicle Charger Rebate program for new-home construction. Click here for more details.
EPA
There are 42 upcoming webinars on climate and energy topics offered by federal agencies and others. All webinars are free of charge, but space may be limited or require registration in advance. Let us know if you have upcoming webinars you would like us to include in future newsletters. Our previous webinars can be found here.
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Federal Webinars
Portfolio Manager. ENERGY STAR offers several webinars on Portfolio Manager every month. These webinars explain how to navigate different parts of Portfolio Manager, from basics to advanced features.
Portfolio Manager – Ask the Expert. Every other Wednesday at noon, ENERGY STAR holds Portfolio Manager "Ask the Expert" webinars that give users an opportunity to ask their questions directly to EPA experts in an open forum. Want to talk to a “real” person? Have a question about how Portfolio Manager calculates your score? Want to learn more about switching to Green Power? Join this public forum to ask your Portfolio Manager questions.
​Ozarks Clean Air Alliance
The Ozarks Clean Air Alliance (OCAA) is a voluntary, non-regulatory subcommittee of the Community Partnership of the Ozark's Environmental Collaborative. OCAA guides the region's education and outreach efforts to reduce the negative health and environmental effects of air pollution.
Transportation Tips:
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Choose a cleaner commute – car pool, use public transportation, bike or walk when possible.
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Combine errands to reduce mileage, “cold starts” of your vehicle and avoid extended idling.
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Consider an electric vehicle or hybrid to conserve or avoid fossil fuels.
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Keep cars, boats, and other engines properly tuned and avoid engines that smoke.
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Follow gasoline refueling instructions for efficient vapor recovery. Don’t “top off” your gas tank. Be careful not to spill fuel and always tighten your gas cap securely.
For the Garden:
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Use electric lawn equipment when possible. Consider purchasing electric equipment such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, and leaf blowers.
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Use manual tools when possible. Consider purchasing manual equipment such as push reel mowers, rakes and hedge clippers.
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If using gas-powered equipment, purchase a four-cycle engine. Four-cycle engines emit less air pollution than two-cycle engines.
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Properly maintain your equipment. Follow the manufacturers guidelines; keep the underside of the mower deck clean; maintain sharp mower blades; periodically tune-up your equipment; change the oil and clean or replace filters.
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Reduce mowing time. Use low maintenance turf grasses that grow slowly and require less mowing. Decrease your lawn area (mowing area) by planting more trees, shrubs and flowers.
Resources
Educational materials, reference data
The bulletin board of the southwest Missouri environmental community
Local air quality conditions in real time. Educational materials, reference data
Trails and Bike Routes
Springfield bus schedules and routes
* https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-lines-Springfield_MO-6150-2317945
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Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Car Shopping?
Here are some suggestions for electric vehicles.