Community Air Improvement Project (CAIP)
Urban air is more polluted than suburban and rural air worldwide. Although Minneapolis air quality is better than most comparable urban areas, health risks are above levels of concern.
CAIP is a pilot project. The CAIP project area encompasses East Phillips, Phillips West, Midtown Phillips and Ventura Village (i.e, Phillips community). The Phillips community was selected for this project because it has more polluted air than other areas of the state.
MPCA has formed a partnership with the City of Minneapolis, Clean Air Minnesota, Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, Minnesota Department of Health and community leaders to work on this project.
Project Goal
Improving the air quality for the Phillips Community.
Project Activities
MPCA recently completed its work on Phase I of the project and the remaining work (create an action plan and implement) will be taken forward by the community and other partners.
Phase I
- Identify sources of air pollution in the urban core in and near the Phillips community.
- Identify implementable options for air pollution and associated health risk reduction.
- Create an action plan and implement.
Phase 2
- Focus on participating in future information meetings for significant projects coming into the community;
- Continue working to decrease diesel contribution risk for large fleets in/around the community (link MEI to company); and
- Work on communication outreach with Local Units of Government relevant to zoning and planning where environmental risks are higher. These will likely be urban areas based on MNRiskS data.
Workgroup Information
Members (p-gen5-26)- Meeting Minutes and Agendas (p-gen5-27)
- Next scheduled meeting(s): No CAIP meetings are currently scheduled for the workgroup. However, future informational meetings are anticipated for upcoming projects in the area.
Team Information
Information gathering and analysis has been completed and was utilized in the selection of the two activities to be pursued by CAIP through its community partners and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The activities selected are the Green neighborhood Recognition program and the Comfort Heating-Energy Efficiency Program - Residential focus.
- Ban “smokers” [cars and trucks that have visible emissions]
- Members - David Richfield, Lisa Herschberger
- Activity Analysis
- Hybrid and Clean Diesel Technology, Retrofits and Auxilliary Power
- More Street sweeping to reduce particulates
- Members - Lisa Smestad, Yolanda Letnes
- Activity Analysis
- Emergency and load sharing diesel generator retrofit
- Members - Emily Moore, Stephanie Souter
- Activity Analysis
- Replace gas lawn mowers with push or electric mowers
- Members - Bob Albee, Emily Moore
- Activity Analysis (p-gen5-28)
- More targeted enforcement of idling ordinances in the area
- Members - Lisa Smestad, Daniel Huff, Angelina Matias Vasquez
- Members - Lisa Smestad, Daniel Huff, Angelina Matias Vasquez
- MnTAP assist Registration permit holders and other businesses on energy efficiency and waste-toxicity reduction.
- Members - Cindy McComas, Mick Jost, Paul Pagel, Chuck Stroebel
- Activity Analysis
- No idling signs
- Wood Combustion - Residential Heating and Recreational Burning
- Comfort Heating-Energy Efficiency - Commercial, Industrial and Residential
- Green Neighborhood Recognition Program
- Transportation
- Members - Mike Mondloch, Yolanda Letnes
- Activity Analysis
Project Leads
- Mike Mondloch 651-757-2578, mike.mondloch@state.mn.us
- Yolanda Letnes 651-757-2527, yolanda.letnes@state.mn.us
