NC EMC Air Quality Committee

MeetingJanuary 7, 2015

WNC Regional Air Quality AgencyProgram Overview

David Brigman, Director

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCYMission of the WNC Regional Air Quality

Agency

The Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency

monitors and regulates Buncombe County's air quality to safeguard public health and the environment, while preserving the quality of life and economic

vitality of the area.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCYWhat does the WNC Regional Air Quality

Agency do? Responsible for enforcing federal, state,

and local air quality regulations Permitting of industrial and area sources Compliance and Enforcement Asbestos Removal and Open Burning

Monitor Air Quality for compliance with National Standards

Education and Outreach Pollution Prevention Projects and

Outreach Indoor Air Quality Hotline Website – www.wncairquality.org

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Air Pollution in WNC

Temperature Inversions Trap air pollution near surface,

rather than dispersing it

“Bowl” Effect associated with topography

Any locally-generated pollution exacerbates the problem

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY History

Smoke Abatement Program – 1940’s

Multi-County Agency 1970-2000

Inter-local Agreement between Buncombe County and City of Asheville – 2000 (Pursuant to NCGS 143-215.112 Local Air Pollution Control Programs)

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY

WNCRAQA - Overview

• Governed by an Independent 5 Member Board– 3 members are appointed by Buncombe

County Commission– 2 members are appointed by Asheville City

Council

• Advisory Council– Several members of the community from

diverse backgrounds– Citizens may apply and are appointed by

the board

WNC Regional Air Quality AgencyStaff Organizational Chart

M arti SkellyA cco unting T echn ician

M ike M atthew sSenio r A ir Q uality Specialist

A rn ie L ingleA ir Q uality Specialist

K ev in L anceF ield Serv ices M anager

B etsy B ro wnA ir Q uality Superv iso r

Jam es R aifo rdSenio r A ir Q uality Specialist

A sh ley F eathersto n eP erm itting P ro gram M anager

D av id B rigm anD irecto r

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY

Planning and Rules

SIP is coordinated with DAQ WNCRAQA Code Agency Board adopts DAQ rules by

reference, with minor changes to reflect agency structure

Differences include asbestos, fugitive dust rule, fees, permitting requirements for Stage I, portable crushers

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY

Ambient Monitoring Network

• One FRM 2.5 Monitor• One collocated FRM 2.5 Monitor• One continuous TEOM PM 2.5

Monitor• One Speciated PM 2.5 Monitor

(Will be discontinued 1/2015)• One SLAMs Ozone Monitor• One Carbonyl sampler 1/12 • One 1/6 UAT VOC Sampler

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCYPermitting Program – Stationary

SourcesPermitted Sources – 2013

Title V 8SM 11Small 54

Stage I 155

Total 228

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCYInspections – Stationary Sources -

2013

Title V (annual)Synthetic Minor (annual)Small Sources (biennial) Stage I (annual)Drycleaners (annual)

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Asbestos Permits - 2013

Asbestos Permits 431

City of Asheville Permit Reviews759Buncombe County Permit Reviews239

All demolitions and asbestos renovations not regulated under 40 CFR 61.145 are regulated by WNCRAQA, and must meet

requirements specified by Chapter 4.1110 of the WNCRAQA Code.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Complaints - 2013

Industrial Sources 1

Dust/Odor/Indoor Air 6 Open Burning 44Asbestos 1Stage I 0

Total 52

WNCRAQA investigates all complaints received. Complaints are addressed after

hours when necessary.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Enforcement - 2013

Notices of Violation36

Civil Penalties Assessed17

Total Penalties Assessed $ 14,350

Total Penalties Collected $ 10,775

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCYWNCRAQA Outreach and Recognition

• Annual Recognition Awards• Quarterly Activities Published

Online• Permitted Facility Workshop• Area Source GACT Outreach• Open Burning Outreach with Fire

Departments• Annual Radon Test Kit Giveaway –

Partner with NC Radon Program

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY WNCRAQA Outreach

• Diesel Retrofits - School Buses (Buncombe, Haywood, Madison, Transylvania Counties) - EPA grant

• Diesel Retrofits – Fire Engines – NC DENR grant

• Wood Stove Change Out Promotion - Tax Credits

• Gas Can Swaps – Corporate Donor (SEP)• Idle Reduction Efforts at Schools –

Partner with NC DAQ• Social Media – Facebook and Twitter

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCYOther Environmental Programs in

Buncombe Co.• Storm Water Management – City of

Asheville and Buncombe County• Erosion Control – Buncombe County• Environmental Control (illegal dumping,

junk yards) – Buncombe County• Solid Waste – Landfill, Recycling,

Household Hazardous Waste – Buncombe County

• Farmland Preservation Program – Buncombe County

• Office of Sustainability – City of Asheville

For More Information…For More Information…

WNC Regional Air Quality Agency

(828) 250-6777www.wncairquality.org

wncair@buncombecounty.org