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 16,000 14,000 2005 12,000 2006 2007 10,000 2008 2009 8,000 4,785 6,000 4,677 4,000 2,495 1,643 1,395 2,000 857 602 650 528 0 SO2 (Tons/Yr) NOx (Tons/Yr)
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 on industry and automotive traffic in order to clean up on 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 occurring VOCs � Mainly NOx Mainly NOx- -limiting limiting � Decreases in NOx should correlate with decreases in Decreases in NOx should correlate with decreases in ozone concentrations ozone 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 O 3 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 Ozone Design Values - Buncombe Co. 90 85 83 85 Parts per Billion 78 78 80 74 74 72 74 75 69 68 70 65 1999- 2000- 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 2006- 2007- 2008- 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 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 95 90 90 90 Parts Per Billion 90 84 85 76 79 76 75 80 75 69 74 70 71 7371 70 73 71 65 66 64 60 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 Air Quality Index for Ozone - 2003 to 2010 220 210 200 Days 190 180 170 160 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Good Moderate Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Fine Particulate Matter Fine Particulate Matter (PM (PM 2.5 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 PM 2.5 2.5 in the air in the air
Fine Particulate Matter in WNC Fine Particulate Matter in WNC Annual Average PM 2.5 Standard in Buncombe County 18 16.1 15.4 17 16 15 ug/m 3 14 13 14.5 12 12.8 12.7 13.1 12.8 12.3 11 12.1 10 8.46 10.7 9 8 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Measured PM2.5 Concentration (Annual Mean) NAAQS
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