Gordon PierceWESTAR Fall Business Meeting

Tempe, AZApril 16, 2012

National Monitoring Steering Committee meeting held in Denver, Oct. 25-26

Presentation on most items at the Fall WESTAR Business Meeting

Additional items have been discussed since last meeting

NO2◦ “Phased Implementation Approach” going forward

(formerly called the “Build and Hold” plan) 50 total sites in CBSA > 1 million

25 sites in 2012, to be operational by 1/1/2013 25 sites in 2013, to be operational by 1/1/2014

$200,000/site = $5 million/year (103 funds)◦ Will assess data after 1 or 2 years and determine if

additional sites needed or if need to do a rule change

◦ Look at near-road sites as the core of a multi-pollutant network

◦ The issue: Potential for legal challenges as does not meet CFR requirements…who takes the liability?

NO2 Phased Implementation Approach Issues◦ Inconsistency among EPA regions as to how to handle

approval of network plans that do not meet CFR requirements for number of NO2 sites by 1/1/2013

◦ MSC has looked at 3 approaches: Put all network info into 1 plan for EPA approval Put everything but NO2 in 1 plan and NO2 only in a 2nd

plan for EPA approval, so EPA can take no action on the NO2 plan

Rulemaking to change CFR requirements◦ NACAA has presented to EPA, and EPA is likely looking

to do a rulemaking to stagger NO2 site installation dates

Secondary NOx/SOx◦ Rule has been issued…April 3, 2012 (effective June 4, 2012)◦ No change to existing secondary NAAQS for SO2 and NO2

◦ AAI (aquatic acidification index) was being looked at, but decision made that not enough information yet

◦ Plans to do a field study Characterize NOy and SOx in 3-5 sensitive ecosystem areas Develop ecoregion-specific factors and AAI values Evaluate monitoring methods for NOy an SOx

◦ Plan is to use CASTNET sites PM

◦ New NAAQS proposal expected in June 2012

Upcoming: May 14-17, 2012 in Denver◦ Full day of training on Mon.◦ Full day plenary session on Tues and ½ Thurs◦ Full day breakout session on Wes and ½ Thurs

Please register/attend

MSC will be discussing and reviewing EPA’s draft recommendations regarding the PAMS re-engineering project

Next MSC meeting July 19-20 (after PM proposal is out and after National AQ Conference)