The CAPCOG Air Quality Program is assisting the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), a COG located in Oklahoma City, with an economic study assessing the cost of not meeting the federal ground-level ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area. The study is modeled on CAPCOG’s 2015 study of the Austin MSA which analyzed the economic impact associated with nonattainment including added permitting requirements for new businesses and existing businesses and extra hurdles for building or expanding transportation infrastructure.
The 2015 study earned CAPCOG a National Association Development Organization Innovation Award and served as a model for a similar study conducted by the San Antonio-based Alamo Area Council of Governments. For the new study, CAPCOG assisted with developing the project’s scope of work and is collaborating with local stakeholders to conduct the economic analysis for ACOG.
“Understanding the potential economic impacts of a nonattainment designation helps decision-makers determine what measures they should take to mitigate the full set of risks associated with high air pollution levels,” said Andrew Hoekzema, CAPCOG regional planning and services director.
