Western North Carolina Regional Air Western North Carolina Regional - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Western North Carolina Regional Air Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency Update Quality Agency Update

February 1, 2011 February 1, 2011 David Brigman, Director David Brigman, Director

Ashley Featherstone, Engineering Supervisor Ashley Featherstone, Engineering Supervisor Kevin Lance, Enforcement Supervisor Kevin Lance, Enforcement Supervisor

Mission Mission

The Western North Carolina Regional The Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency monitors and Air Quality Agency monitors and regulates Buncombe County’s air regulates Buncombe County’s air quality to safeguard public health and quality to safeguard public health and the environment, while preserving the the environment, while preserving the quality of life and economic vitality of quality of life and economic vitality of the area. the area.

History History

Smoke Abatement

Smoke Abatement Program Program – 1940’s 1940’s

Multi

Multi-County Agency County Agency 1970 1970-2000 2000

Inter

Inter-local Agreement local Agreement between Buncombe between Buncombe County and City of County and City of Asheville Asheville – 2000 2000 (Pursuant

(Pursuant to NCGS 143 to NCGS 143-215.112 Local Air Pollution 215.112 Local Air Pollution Control Programs) Control Programs)

WNCRAQA WNCRAQA -

• Overview

Overview

Governed by an Independent 5 Member Board

Governed by an Independent 5 Member Board

• 3 members are appointed by Buncombe County Commission

3 members are appointed by Buncombe County Commission

• 2 members are appointed by Asheville City Council

2 members are appointed by Asheville City Council

Advisory Council

Advisory Council

• Several members of the community from diverse

Several members of the community from diverse backgrounds backgrounds

• Citizens may apply and are appointed by the board

Citizens may apply and are appointed by the board

What does the WNC Regional Air What does the WNC Regional Air Quality Agency do? Quality Agency do?

Responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local

Responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local air quality regulations air quality regulations

Permitting of industrial and area sources

Permitting of industrial and area sources

Compliance and Enforcement

Compliance and Enforcement

Asbestos Removal and Open Burning

Asbestos Removal and Open Burning

Monitor Air Quality for Compliance with National

Monitor Air Quality for Compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards Ambient Air Quality Standards

Education and Outreach

Education and Outreach

Pollution Prevention Projects and Outreach

Pollution Prevention Projects and Outreach

Indoor Air Quality Hotline

Indoor Air Quality Hotline

Planning and Rules Planning and Rules

State Implementation Plan (SIP) is coordinated

State Implementation Plan (SIP) is coordinated with DAQ with DAQ

WNCRAQA Code

WNCRAQA Code

Agency Board adopts DAQ rules by reference,

Agency Board adopts DAQ rules by reference, with minor changes to reflect agency structure with minor changes to reflect agency structure

Differences include asbestos NESHAP, fugitive

Differences include asbestos NESHAP, fugitive dust rule, permitting requirements for open dust rule, permitting requirements for open burning, asbestos removal, Stage I, fees burning, asbestos removal, Stage I, fees

Reduction in Title V Revenues Reduction in Title V Revenues

Due to a decrease in annual Title V funds in 2007 and

Due to a decrease in annual Title V funds in 2007 and beyond, the Agency has downsized by leaving 3 open beyond, the Agency has downsized by leaving 3 open positions unfilled. positions unfilled.

Permit fees for all source categories were increased in

Permit fees for all source categories were increased in 2007 and currently being reworked. 2007 and currently being reworked.

No reductions in frequency of inspections or other

No reductions in frequency of inspections or other services have occurred. services have occurred.

Emissions Reductions at Progress Emissions Reductions at Progress Energy’s Asheville Steam Plant Energy’s Asheville Steam Plant

15,545 4,785 2,495 4,677 528 1,643 602 857 1,395 650 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 SO2 (Tons/Yr) NOx (Tons/Yr)

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Air Pollution in WNC Air Pollution in WNC

“Bowl” Effect

“Bowl” Effect

Inversions

Inversions

Trap air pollution near surface, rather than

Trap air pollution near surface, rather than dispersing it dispersing it

“The solution to pollution is dilution.”

“The solution to pollution is dilution.”

Any locally

Any locally-

• generated pollution exacerbates the

generated pollution exacerbates the problem problem

National Standards National Standards

EPA, as directed by the Clean Air Act, is required to

EPA, as directed by the Clean Air Act, is required to set set health health-

• based

based standards for certain pollutants standards for certain pollutants (ambient concentrations) (ambient concentrations)

Areas not meeting the standard are called

Areas not meeting the standard are called nonattainment nonattainment

Nonattainment areas must place strict requirements

Nonattainment areas must place strict requirements

• n industry and automotive traffic in order to clean up
• n industry and automotive traffic in order to clean up

the air the air

In 2008, the EPA tightened the standard for ozone

In 2008, the EPA tightened the standard for ozone

• pollution. They are currently proposing to tighten it
• pollution. They are currently proposing to tighten it

again. again.

WNC Pollutant Problems: Ozone, Fine Particulates

WNC Pollutant Problems: Ozone, Fine Particulates

Reducing Ozone in WNC Reducing Ozone in WNC

Naturally

Naturally-

• occurring VOCs
• ccurring VOCs

Mainly NOx

Mainly NOx-

• limiting

limiting

Decreases in NOx should correlate with decreases in

Decreases in NOx should correlate with decreases in

• zone concentrations
• zone concentrations

Major sources of NOx in Asheville:

Major sources of NOx in Asheville:

Heavy

Heavy-

• duty trucks and passenger vehicles

duty trucks and passenger vehicles

Progress Energy Skyland Plant

Progress Energy Skyland Plant

Weather patterns play a role in formation

Weather patterns play a role in formation

Cool, wet summers = low ozone concentrations

Cool, wet summers = low ozone concentrations

Hot, dry summers = high ozone concentrations

Hot, dry summers = high ozone concentrations

Ozone Attainment Status Ozone Attainment Status

2008 O 2008 O3 Standard Standard

75.0 ppb, 3 yr

75.0 ppb, 3 yr Avg Avg 4th Highest 8 4th Highest 8-hr Conc. hr Conc.

Buncombe County Design Value (2008

Buncombe County Design Value (2008- 2010 data) = 68 ppb 2010 data) = 68 ppb

Upper Elevation Monitors near

Upper Elevation Monitors near Buncombe Co = 72 Buncombe Co = 72-73 ppb 73 ppb

Current EPA Proposal = 60 to 70 ppb *

Current EPA Proposal = 60 to 70 ppb *

* Announcement pending * Announcement pending

Ozone Design Values in Buncombe Ozone Design Values in Buncombe County: 1999 County: 1999-

• Present

Present

83 85 78 78 74 74 74 72 69 68 65 70 75 80 85 90 1999- 2001 2000- 2002 2001- 2003 2002- 2004 2003- 2005 2004- 2006 2005- 2007 2006- 2008 2007- 2009 2008- 2010 Parts per Billion

Ozone Design Values - Buncombe Co.

4th Highest Maximum 8 Hour Average Ozone Concentration 1997 NAAQS 2008 NAAQS

Ozone Trends in Buncombe County: Ozone Trends in Buncombe County: 1993 1993-

• Present

Present

66 69 76 74 75 90 84 90 76 90 70 73 79 71 7371 64 71 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 Parts Per Billion

4th Highest Maximum 8 Hour Avrg Ozone Concentration 1997 NAAQS 2008 NAAQS

Air Quality Index for Ozone in Asheville: Air Quality Index for Ozone in Asheville: 2003 2003-

• Present

Present

160 170 180 190 200 210 220 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Days

Air Quality Index for Ozone - 2003 to 2010

Good Moderate Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Fine Particulate Matter Fine Particulate Matter (PM (PM2.5

2.5)

Fine Particulate Matter = particulate (soot) that has a

Fine Particulate Matter = particulate (soot) that has a diameter of less than 2.5 microns diameter of less than 2.5 microns

Breathing fine particulate matter can cause serious

Breathing fine particulate matter can cause serious health concerns, including chronic respiratory disease, health concerns, including chronic respiratory disease, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and increased mortality increased mortality

Regional haze (reduced visibility) is directly correlated

Regional haze (reduced visibility) is directly correlated with the amount of PM with the amount of PM2.5

2.5 in the air

in the air

Fine Particulate Matter in WNC Fine Particulate Matter in WNC

16.1 15.4 12.8 14.5 12.7 12.3 13.1 12.8 12.1 10.7 8.46 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 ug/m3

Annual Average PM2.5 Standard in Buncombe County

Measured PM2.5 Concentration (Annual Mean) NAAQS

Open Burning Rules and Open Burning Rules and Regulations Regulations

It is ALWAYS illegal to burn any materials

It is ALWAYS illegal to burn any materials

• ther than natural growth vegetation,
• ther than natural growth vegetation,

including: including:

? Household trash

Household trash

? Paper

Paper

? ? Cardboard

Cardboard

? Plastics

Plastics

? ? Processed Wood

Processed Wood

? Tires

Tires

? ? Construction Debris

Construction Debris

? Shingles

Shingles

Permitting Program Permitting Program - 2010 2010 Stationary Sources Stationary Sources

Permitted Sources Permitted Sources Title V Title V 7 7 SM SM 9 9 Small Small 55 55 Stage I Stage I 148 148 Total Total 219 219

Inspection Program Inspection Program - 2010 2010 Stationary Sources Stationary Sources

Title V Title V 7 7 (annual) (annual) Synthetic Minor Synthetic Minor 9 9 (annual) (annual) Small Sources Small Sources 30 (biennial) 30 (biennial) Stage I Stage I 145 145 (annual) (annual) Drycleaners Drycleaners 7 7 (annual) (annual) Total Stationary Total Stationary 198 198

Permitting and Inspection Program 2010 Permitting and Inspection Program 2010 Demolition and Asbestos Removal Demolition and Asbestos Removal

NESHAP Permits NESHAP Permits 141 141 Local Permits Local Permits 181 181 NESHAP Inspections NESHAP Inspections 140 140 Local Inspections Local Inspections 175 175 City/County Permit Reviews 505/305 City/County Permit Reviews 505/305

All demolitions and asbestos renovations not regulated under 40 CFR All demolitions and asbestos renovations not regulated under 40 CFR 61.145 are regulated by WNCRAQA, and must meet requirements 61.145 are regulated by WNCRAQA, and must meet requirements specified by Chapter 4.1110 of the WNCRAQA Code. specified by Chapter 4.1110 of the WNCRAQA Code.

Idling Reduction Campaign at Local Idling Reduction Campaign at Local Schools Schools

WNCRAQA has

WNCRAQA has partnered with DAQ partnered with DAQ to provide idling to provide idling reduction signs to reduction signs to local schools. local schools.

Campaign

Campaign encourages parents encourages parents not to idle their not to idle their vehicles in school vehicles in school parking areas. parking areas.

Clean Burning Clean Burning Techniques Techniques

WNCRAQA launched an initiative to educate

WNCRAQA launched an initiative to educate citizens who heat with wood about the benefits of citizens who heat with wood about the benefits of newer stoves that meet EPA emission limits. newer stoves that meet EPA emission limits.

Federal tax credits are available for stoves meeting

Federal tax credits are available for stoves meeting minimum efficiency requirements installed at a minimum efficiency requirements installed at a primary residence. Federal credits can be used to primary residence. Federal credits can be used to

• ffset the cost of upgrading to cleaner and safer
• ffset the cost of upgrading to cleaner and safer

equipment. equipment.

Radon Awareness Radon Awareness

Since 2006, WNCRAQA has partnered with the

Since 2006, WNCRAQA has partnered with the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Service and the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Service and the NC Radon Program to give away over 2,000 radon test NC Radon Program to give away over 2,000 radon test kits to citizens of Buncombe County. kits to citizens of Buncombe County.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and Buncombe County has some of the highest U.S. and Buncombe County has some of the highest radon levels in NC. radon levels in NC.

Diesel Retrofits Diesel Retrofits

In 2009, WNCRAQA was

In 2009, WNCRAQA was awarded $31,500 in NC awarded $31,500 in NC DEER funding to retrofit fire DEER funding to retrofit fire trucks with DOCs trucks with DOCs

Past diesel retrofit projects

Past diesel retrofit projects have included: have included:

• School bus retrofits with DOCs

School bus retrofits with DOCs in 4 counties (Clean School Bus in 4 counties (Clean School Bus USA , 2003 USA , 2003-

• 2004, Received

2004, Received EPA Children’s Environmental EPA Children’s Environmental Health Award in 2005) Health Award in 2005)

• City Buses and Landfill Tractors

City Buses and Landfill Tractors (Courtesy of The Diesel (Courtesy of The Diesel Technology Forum and Technology Forum and Caterpillar, Inc., 2006) Caterpillar, Inc., 2006)

What Can You Do? What Can You Do?

• Conserve Electricity

Conserve Electricity

• Use power management on your monitor and computer to reduce energy

Use power management on your monitor and computer to reduce energy consumption consumption

• Buy energy efficient light bulbs and turn off the lights when not in use

Buy energy efficient light bulbs and turn off the lights when not in use

• Insulate your home

Insulate your home

• Drive Less

Drive Less

• Carpool

Carpool

• Combine trips

Combine trips

• Don’t idle your vehicle

Don’t idle your vehicle – Turn off your engine Turn off your engine

• Buy More Fuel Efficient Vehicles

Buy More Fuel Efficient Vehicles

• Participate in NC Green Power

Participate in NC Green Power

• Choose to pay $4/month to purchase 100 kilowatts of renewable energy

Choose to pay $4/month to purchase 100 kilowatts of renewable energy – sign up on your electric bill sign up on your electric bill

• Know the Air Quality Forecast

Know the Air Quality Forecast