Description of Individual or organization
Former Dallas County Judge Margaret Keliher took on the job of protecting DFW air quality that the North Central Texas Council of Governments forsook. Two years ago, she agreed to volunteer as Chair of the Committee for North Texas Air Quality Modeling Project. This committee of elected officials, doctors, business representatives and environmentalists oversaw the first independent use of a state air model in history, supervising the UNT engineers performing the work.
She and her committee were able to identify a "policy map" for getting the biggest air pollution bang for our buck - focusing on large industrial sources. They asked questions of the state's model that the state was afraid to ask, like for example, what happens when you put advanced controls on the East Texas coal plants or Midlothian cement plants? Or, how much does oil and gas pollution contribute to DFW smog?
For the first time, the power of the "black box" that drives every air plan was in the hands of the local community instead of being the exclusive providence of the State.
Besides setting an important precedent for future independent analysis, the study Keliher oversaw gave birth to a second study from Dr. Robert Haley, also another first. He used EPA software to actually put a cost in lives and dollars on DFW smog.
It was Judge Keliher, who after getting briefed on the results of the UNT study who spoke most eloquently about the need to bring the East Texas coal plants into the DFW non-attainment area from a Dallas business perspective.
She did not have to step into this role. She's retired from public office. She has nothing to gain and she knew she would get pushback from Austin. And yet she said yes. To me, that's real character.
Leadership (Nominee demonstrates leadership through example, knowledge, attitude)
Margaret Keliher is a rare breed these days - a real moderate Republican who cares about clean air.
She led the region to its most successful air plan to date, in 2006-7. She got personally involved with the cement plant issue, chairing a special subcommittee that produced a report endorsing modern controls and "green cement" procurement practices. That plan almost got us into "attainment" with the Clean Air act for the first time in 15 years. We haven't been as close since.
She came back to chair this committee, serving as the glue and providing a wealth of institutional knowledge about the issues. She did not get paid. She did not get much notice. But without her leadership, this project might not have happened, or been so successful.
Judge Keliher's name gave the UNT study instant credibility among other elected officials. She's know as a straight-shooting, middle of the road, serious-minded, center-right policy wonk. That's why - besides the science - it's now having so much impact.
Environmental Impact (Nominee demonstrates a positive impact on the local environment via policy change, product offering, significant volunteer contribution or other achievement)
The study has produced resolutions from the Texas ALA, Dallas County and the City of Dallas calling for a new DFW air plan. It's generated letters from two local congressional representatives and a state representative. It's being reviewed for consideration in approval of the state plan by EPA. It's ultimate impact is some 2-3 years in the future. But the precedent it set just by happening is immediate. Again - first time ever that a group of locals has had control of the state model.
Community Impact (Nominee demonstrates commitment to DFW green community through involvement with causes, business ventures or organizations)
See above. She's had an impact on air quality in DFW for over ten years.
Other reasons for your nomination
It might be out of the blue, but I think the nomination is deserved. Judge Keliher embodies the more noble side of public service. As environmentalists, we should reward our allies - even if they don't match our usual ideologies - and she's been a good one. She's also going against the grain of her party and her peers to some extent. I imagine she could use a pat on the back for voluntarily going out on this limb once again.