| Comment
Periods Now Open
 Proposed Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan 2012-2013
On Saturday, May 12, 2012, notice was given in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of the opening for comment on the Proposed 2012-2013 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan. Comments on the plan will be taken for 30 days. Contact information is located in the PA Bulletin Notice.
Interstate Pollution Transport Reduction; Final 2012 Ozone Season NOx Emission Limits for Nonelectric Generating Units
On Saturday, April 28, 2012 notice was given in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of the finalization of the nonelectric generating units (non-egu) NOx emission limits for the 2012 ozone season.
Proposed General Plan Approval and/or General Operating Permit for Natural Gas Production and/or Processing Facilities (BAQ-GPA/GP-5)
The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) proposes to issue a revised General Plan Approval and/or Operating Permit (BAQ-GPA/GP-5 or General Permit) for Natural Gas Production and/or Processing Facilities that establishes emission limitations and other applicable Federal and State requirements including Best Available Technology requirements. The Department requests written comments on the proposed revisions to this General Permit by May 23, 2012.
Advisory Committee Meetings
Agendas and materials are posted approximately two weeks before each meeting.
Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee Upcoming 2012 Meetings:
June 14, August 2, October 11, December 13.
Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee Upcoming 2012 Meetings:
July 25, October 24.
Grant Availability
News
DEP Comments on Revisions to the US EPA's proposed "Revisions to Federal Implementation Plans to Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone"
Northcentral Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Short-Term Ambient Air Sampling Report
As previously in the northeast and southwest, and in response to the increased number of well sites and concerns about the impact of the Marcellus Shale natural gas development activities on air quality, the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection launched a short-term, screening-level air quality sampling initiative in the northcentral region in August 2010, culminating in December 2010. This report includes the findings of the screening air sampling surveys conducted by PA DEP in Bradford, Lycoming, and Tioga Counties, and background sampling conducted in Sullivan County. (PDF 1.3MB)
Final 2015 Annual and Ozone Season CAIR Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Allowance Allocations and Redistribution of 2010-2014 Allowances for Certain Facilities
On Saturday April 16, 2011, notice was given in the Pennsylvania Bulletin that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is providing notice of the finalization of the 2015 annual and ozone season CAIR NOx allowance allocations and redistribution of 2010-2014 allowances for certain facilities. On December 10, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted a final rule approving the Pennsylvania CAIR State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision. (74 FR 65446, Dec. 10, 2009). Therefore, these allocations replace those under the EPA’s Federal Implementation Plan. Questions concerning this notice should be directed to Mr. Randy Bordner, Chief, Stationary Source Section, Bureau of Air Quality at (717) 772-3921 or to ranbordner@state.pa.us.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Short-Term Ambient Air Sampling Report
As previously in the southwest, and in response to the increased number of well sites and concerns about the impact of the Marcellus Shale natural gas development activities on air quality, the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection launched a short-term, screening-level air quality sampling initiative in the northeast region in August 2010, culminating in October 2010. This report includes the findings of the screening air sampling surveys conducted by PA DEP in Susquehanna County and background sampling conducted in Sullivan County. (PDF 2.3MB)
Evaluation of Total Particulate Matter Emissions From Coal-Fired Electric Generation Units
In November 2008, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection initiated a source testing project to evaluate particulate matter emitted from coal-fired electric generating units (EGUs) in Pennsylvania. The study was designed to determine the quality and accuracy of total particulate matter emission testing available to the Department for this source category which includes all coal-fired and waste coal-fired electric utility steam generating units. (PDF)
Southwestern Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Short-term Ambient Air Sampling Report
In response to the increased number of well sites and concerns about the impact of the Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling activities on air quality, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP or Department) launched a short-term, screening- level air quality sampling initiative in the southwest region in April 2010; the project was completed in August 2010. (PDF 2MB)
Air Toxics and Schools
In
response to a USA TODAY Special Report on air toxics and schools, the DEP has
tested the air at Pennsylvania schools "ranked" by the USA TODAY as
possibly the worst. The below news releases and reports detail the findings.
News Releases
 Results of Ongoing Testing Show Air Quality is Safe Near
Schools in Beaver and Erie Counties (9/17/09)
Further
DEP Testing Finds Air Quality Around Schools
to
be Safe (5/28/09)
DEP
Inspects Scrapyards, Steel Plant to Find Source
of
Elevated Levels of Air Pollutants (4/8/09)
DEP
Finds Air Quality Around Schools to be Safe
(2/27/09)
DEP
to Monitor Air Quality Near Schools Cited in
the
USA Today Report (12/11/08)
USA
TODAY Special Report (12/8/08)
EPA Sampling Reports
Riverside Elementary, Reading
Kreutz Creek Valley Elementary, Hallam
DEP Sampling Reports (PDF)
St. Vitus School, New Castle
Iroquois Junior/Senior
High, Erie
Ridgefield Elementary,
Erie
Midland
Elementary/Middle School, Midland
Reading
Muhlenberg CTC, Reading
Locust
Grove Mennonite, Lancaster
Graystone
Academy Charter School, Coatesville
Phoenixville
Area Kindergarten Center, Phoenixville
Stony
Brook Elementary School, York
Wayne
Middle School, Erie
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Final Report - Pennsylvania Biofuel Development and In-State Production Incentive Act (Act 78 of 2008)
The Pennsylvania Biofuel Development and In-State Production Incentive Act, enacted on July 10, 2008, mandates the use of renewable fuels and promotion of the production of renewable fuels in Pennsylvania in order to grow the state's economy and reduce it's dependence on foreign fuels. The Act establishes biodiesel and ethanol volume standards once certain production triggers have been met.
The act also requires that an ambient air quality study be completed by an independent third party qualified to conduct an ambient air quality study to determine the impact of the act on the Commonwealth's ability to achieve and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
For
Your Reference
2012 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan
Final
Report - Special Carlisle Area Fine Particulate Air Monitoring Study
As a result of concerns raised by local residents due to the increased emissions
from truck traffic, Carlisle area residents, the Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania
(CAB), and the Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) conducted an ambient
air quality study focusing on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the Carlisle
area. Results of the study and the entire report can be viewed by clicking on
the link above.
Evaluation
of the Air Quality Program
This report, which is required
under Section 4.3 of the Air Pollution Control Act (APCA or Act 95 of 1992), evaluates
the effectiveness of programs adopted to implement Clean Air Act Amendments of
1990.
Control Techniques Guidelines This page has information about the Control Techniques Guidelines (CTGs) documents
issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 1994 through 2008.
The CTGs are documents issued by the EPA to provide States with the EPA’s
recommendation on how to control the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC)
from a specific type of product or source category in an ozone nonattainment area.
ANNUAL
EMISSION FEE PRICES In accordance with § 127.705(e), the emissions fee for air pollutants emitted in calendar year 2011 is $56/ton of "regulated pollutant" as defined in § 127.705(d).
DIESEL IDLING LAW On
October 9, 2008, the Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act
was signed into law (Act 124). Taking effect 120 days from enactment, the law restricts most
diesel-powered motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds from idling more than five minutes
in any continuous 60-minute period, with a number of exemptions. Click here for information about Pennsylvania's new Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act.
Centralia
Mine Fire Mercury Study
The DEP’s Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ)
and the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (BAMR) partnered to
conduct a
study of mercury emissions from a coal mine fire, with financial support from
the United States EPA and OSM. The final report is now available.
2012
Dry Cleaner Compliance Calendar Now Available
COLLEGEVILLE
AREA AIR MONITORING REPORT DEP is investigating trichloroethylene levels
in the air for two reasons: historic groundwater contamination and nearby air
emission sources.
Site
Information and Raw Data
1st
Report (PDF)(1/19/07)
2nd
Report (PDF)(3/07/08)
3rd Report (PDF)(11/17/09)
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