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WNC Regional Air Quality Agency: Protecting Public Health and the Environment

Learn about the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency and their efforts to monitor and regulate air quality in Buncombe County. Discover their programs, enforcement activities, and outreach initiatives to protect public health and the environment.

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WNC Regional Air Quality Agency: Protecting Public Health and the Environment

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  1. NC EMC Air Quality Committee MeetingJanuary 7, 2015WNC Regional Air Quality AgencyProgram OverviewDavid Brigman, Director

  2. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Mission 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.

  3. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY What 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

  4. 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

  5. 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)

  6. 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

  7. WNC Regional Air Quality AgencyStaff Organizational Chart

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Permitting Program – Stationary Sources Permitted Sources – 2013 Title V 8 SM 11 Small 54 Stage I 155 Total 228

  11. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Inspections – Stationary Sources - 2013 Title V (annual) Synthetic Minor (annual) Small Sources (biennial) Stage I (annual) Drycleaners (annual)

  12. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Asbestos Permits - 2013 • Asbestos Permits 431 • City of Asheville Permit Reviews 759 • Buncombe County Permit Reviews 239 • 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.

  13. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Complaints - 2013 Industrial Sources 1 Dust/Odor/Indoor Air 6 Open Burning 44 Asbestos 1 Stage I 0 Total 52 WNCRAQA investigates all complaints received. Complaints are addressed after hours when necessary.

  14. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Enforcement - 2013 • Notices of Violation 36 • Civil Penalties Assessed 17 • Total Penalties Assessed $ 14,350 • Total Penalties Collected $ 10,775

  15. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY WNCRAQA 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

  16. 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

  17. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY Other 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

  18. For More Information… For More Information… WNC Regional Air Quality Agency (828) 250-6777 www.wncairquality.org wncair@buncombecounty.org

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