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The American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report gave Central Texas a failing grade for ozone pollution—and the problem is getting worse. The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area now ranks 39th worst in the nation for ozone pollution, a significant drop from last year’s ranking of 54th. Travis County alone saw 5.7 days of unhealthy air quality—more than double the previous average.
This decline in air quality coincides with rapid regional growth and signifiant road construction, which increase traffic congestion and emissions. While there are other variables affecting air quality from year-to-year that are out of our direct control, there are things Central Texans can do to reverse this trend and decrease numbers of days with unhealthy air quality.
One is reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). That means combining our car trips, carpooling, and walking/biking for shorter trips. And together Investing in walkable communities, improving regional transit, and supporting compact, connected development that lessens our reliance on personal vehicles.
Help to expland these efforts across the region. Reducing VMT is not just a transportation issue—it’s a public health necessity.
📍 Learn more:
📉 Read the air quality report:
Congratulations to the City of Austin’s Austin Resource Recovery for hosting a successful TxSWANA (Texas Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America) annual conference in April. Central Texas Clean Cities participated in tours to Balcones Resources Materials Recovery Facility, Austin Resource Recovery’s Recycle and Reuse Drop Off Center.
Conference topics were many, Central Texas Clean Cities and the other Texas Clean Cities Coalitions: Alamo Area, DFW, Houston-Galveston, and South Texas presented on
Austin Resource Recovery debuted their two brand new electric refuse haulers. From Battle Motors (formerly Crane Carrier), they are narrower and quiet which makes them particularly well suited for picking up refuse in the narrow alleys between downtown businesses.
Cedar Park-based Hyliion’s Karno Update
Some of you may remember seeing Hyliion’s Natural Gas Hypertruck ERX at CTXCC’s 2023 EV and Hydrogen Heavy-duty Vehicle Showcase. Not long after, the Cedar Park-based company announced they would pivot from the production of electric vehicle drivetrains to focus full-time on developing their unique “Karno” generator with technology acquired from General Electric. Rather than focusing on vehicle use, they’ve designed a power source which can be used to charge vehicles as well as power buildings.
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A U.S. Department of Energy designated coalition in the Clean Cities and Communities partnership.