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Division of Air Quality Program Overview

Division of Air Quality Program Overview. EMC Member Continuing Education Session. Mike Abraczinskas. Deputy Director. November 2011. Topics to be Covered. Federal Clean Air Act NC Air Quality Program DAQ Organization Chart DAQ & the “Big Picture” Funding Improvements and Challenges.

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Division of Air Quality Program Overview

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  1. Division of Air QualityProgram Overview EMC Member Continuing Education Session Mike Abraczinskas Deputy Director November 2011

  2. Topics to be Covered • Federal Clean Air Act • NC Air Quality Program • DAQ Organization Chart • DAQ & the “Big Picture” • Funding • Improvements and Challenges

  3. The Clean Air Act (CAA) • History • 1970 CAA • 1977 and 1990 CAA Amendments

  4. The N.C. Air Quality Program • 1967 General Assembly Action • G.S. 143-211 • Air Quality program began Today… • 264 positions (243 filled) • 120 in regional offices • 144 in central office • Three local air programs • Mecklenburg, Buncombe, Forsyth

  5. The N.C. Air Quality Program Our Mission Statement To Protect and Improve the Outdoor Air Quality of North Carolina… The Division of Air Quality (DAQ) works with the state’s citizens to protect and improve outdoor, or ambient, air quality in North Carolina for the health, benefit and economic well-being of all. To carry out this mission, the DAQ has programs to operate a statewide air quality monitoring network to measure the level of pollutants in the outdoor air, develop and implement plans to meet future air quality initiatives, assure compliance with air quality rules, and educate, inform and assist the public with regard to air quality issues.

  6. The N.C. Air Quality Program Our Vision To have a program that: Has a motivated staff that shares a common vision of providing clean air for all of the citizens of North Carolina Is highly effective; achieves its goals expeditiously Is highly efficient; provides maximum product for minimum cost and effort Creates a place where staff wants to make a career-long commitment by rewarding high achievers and offers cross-training or rotational experiences that support employee education and career growth opportunities Fosters the development of strong managers who have the respect and support of their staff

  7. Director Business Office Public Affairs Deputy Director Ambient Monitoring Planning Data Management Allied Programs Electronics Calibration Attainment Planning Projects and Procedures Rules Development Technical Services Permits Title V Stationary Source Compliance New Source Review Mobile Source Compliance Toxics Protection Air Quality Analysis Asheville Regional Office Mooresville Regional Office Fayetteville Regional Office Raleigh Regional Office Washington Regional Office Wilmington Regional Office Winston-Salem Regional Office - Monitoring - Permitting - Compliance - Monitoring - Permitting - Compliance - Monitoring - Permitting - Compliance - Monitoring - Permitting - Compliance - Monitoring - Permitting - Compliance - Monitoring - Permitting - Compliance - Monitoring - Permitting - Compliance

  8. CENTRAL OFFICE – 5 Sections: 1. Administration - is responsible for the overall operations of the division, including the director’s office, public information office, and the business office. 2. Ambient Monitoring - is responsible for measuring levels of regulated pollutants in the ambient (outdoor) air. The section maintains a network of 70 monitoring stations across the state for measuring air pollution. 3. Planning - performs computer modeling and analyses to determine how to attain air quality standards. Works with the legislature and Environmental Management Commission to develop laws, rules, regulations and programs for meeting air quality standards. The N.C. Air Quality Program Organization

  9. CENTRAL OFFICE Cont … 4. Permits - handles the issuance, renewal and modification of air quality permits in North Carolina. Currently, about 2,700 facilities hold air quality permits in the state. 5. Technical Services – Regulates emissions from mobile sources (cars and trucks) and implements the state program for controlling toxic air emissions. Coordinates enforcement actions and reports to EPA regarding violations based on inspections and investigations by field staff. The N.C. Air Quality Program Organization

  10. Seven regional DAQ offices: Asheville, Mooresville, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Wilmington and Washington. Regional Duties include: Performing facility inspections & responding to citizen’s complaints, conducting outdoor air monitoring, enforcing air quality regulations and issuing air quality permits. Regional Offices

  11. State Program Vs Federal Program • Clean Smokestacks Act • Air Toxics Program • Expanded I & M Program • Open Burning Rules • Mercury Rules

  12. “The Big Picture” Federal State Local Programs • Clean Air Act • AQ Rules • EPA • OAQPS • Region 4 • 3 Local Programs • Cities and Counties Governor AGs Office Legislature AQC Fees EMC ERC Rules Public Associations DENR • Complaints • Stakeholders • Public Hearings • NACAA • SESARM / Metro 4 • MARAMA • CAPCA • Business / Industry • Environmental Groups Division of Air Quality Regional Offices Central Office • Inspections / Compliance • Enforcement • Monitoring • Permits • Outreach / Public Relations • Planning • Ambient Monitoring • Permits • Technical Services • Administration

  13. DAQ Funding • Grants • Section 105 • Section 103 (new monitoring) • TV Fees $30/ton + $6500 base fee per year • Non TV Fees • Synthetic Minors - $1500 per year • Small - $250 per year • *Other permit application fees apply for new or modified facilities

  14. I C I DAQ Funding • Fuel Tax • 5/32 per gallon • 10% to Local Programs • 10% to Mobile Source Grants • 80% to DAQ for Operation of Program • I & M Fees • $ 0.65 / Inspection

  15. DAQ Funding

  16. Air Quality is improving!

  17. Challenges ahead…

  18. Challenges ahead… • Many new Federal rules proposed or promulgated • Some with impending compliance dates (w/in 1 yr) • Some with unfunded monitoring requirements • Regulatory guidance and tools developed by DAQ • Regulatory uncertainty remains at the Federal level • Petitions and Notice of Intent to Sue • Congressional proposals being debated • How/When will States be required to respond to outcomes? • DAQ setting priorities based on resources available

  19. Questions? Mike Abraczinskas, EIT, CPM Deputy Director 919-707-8447 Michael.Abraczinskas@ncdenr.gov http://www.ncair.org/

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