National Air Quality Management System & Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards

1. National Air Quality Management System & Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards Bob Myrick Environment and Sustainable Resource Development May 23, 2012

2. Overview • Existing air quality management framework • Canada-wide Standards and CASA PM and Ozone Management Framework • Alberta Land-use Framework • South Saskatchewan Regional Plan • Changes provided by the National Air Quality Management System • new Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards • What does this mean to Alberta airsheds?

3. Alberta’s PM and Ozone Management Framework • 2000 – Canada-wide Standards for PM and ozone established by the CCME • Standards need to be achieved by 2010 • Balance risks to human health and the costs of reducing air emissions • 2003 – CASA Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone Management Framework • CASA framework has three triggers and four corresponding action levels

6. Land-use Framework (LUF) • 2009 – Alberta Land Stewardship Act • The Act calls for a regional plan for each of seven watershed-based regions • manage the cumulative effects of all activities on the landscape • balance economic, environmental and social objectives • Plans for the Lower Athabasca and South Saskatchewan regions are underway • SSRP is looking at an Air Quality Management Framework for NO2 • Alberta PM/Ozone framework is included as part of the SSRP • Need for consistency between regions • Need for alignment from national to provincial to regional levels

7. Objectives of LUF Air Quality Management Frameworks • Develop triggers and limits for specified pollutants and use monitoring data to determine ambient air quality in relation to those triggers and limits • Adopt cumulative effects management at the regional level to proactively maintain ambient air quality below established limits • Evaluate current management approaches and opportunities for improvement • Support and supplement the current pollution prevention and emission minimization principles • Provide effective and efficient management that support the flexibility needed to address local ambient air quality within the region (regulatory vs. non-regulatory)

8. LUF Air Quality Management FrameworkLimits and Triggers

9. LUF Regions and Airshed Map

10. Outcomes-based National system to protect and improve air quality in Canada and keep clean areas clean Federal/provincial/territorial collaboration Best placed jurisdiction to take action Addresses both human and environmental health Comprehensive Covers all sources of outdoor pollutants, including non-point sources, transboundary Builds on Comprehensive Air Management System (CAMS) proposal delivered to Ministers in April 2010 Council of Ministers direction Complete main system elements in 2011 for approval consideration in 2012 The new National Air Quality Management System (AQMS) Provided in confidence 10

11. The new National Air Quality Management System (AQMS) • Alberta is a national leader in development of AQMS • Co-chaired, with the federal government, development of the Comprehensive Air Management System Proposal • Co-chairing, with federal government and Ontario, development of AQMS through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) • Role has enabled Alberta to strongly influence what the System is and how it will operate

12. Why is AQMS important to AB? • We already have place based air management, but… • AQMS aligns the federal government with our CEMS approach • Draws on federal strengths (e.g. backstopping Base Level Industrial Emission Requirements to ensure a basic level playing field across Canada; providing leadership on transboundary pollution) • Also draws on provincial strengths – air quality management in air zones and implementation of the Base Level Industrial Emission Requirements

13. Main Elements of AQMS • Base-level Industry Emissions Requirements (BLIERS) • Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) • Air zone management

14. Element 1: Base-level Industry Emissions Requirements (BLIERS) • Base-Level Industrial Emissions Requirements (BLIERs) • Good standard of industrial performance regardless of air quality; 13 industrial sectors and 3 cross cutting equipment groups; cross cutting VOC BLIER • Provinces to regulate the BLIERs; federal backstop to ensure compliance • Mobile sources • Collaboration to reduce emissions; share best practices • Focus on transportation emissions

15. Element 2: Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) • Will start with new Standards for PM and ozone • Replace the existing Canada-wide Standards • Follows the same principles as Alberta’s CASA PM/Ozone Management Framework • Air quality threshold levels below the Standard • More rigorous actions as air quality approaches or exceeds CAAQS • CAAQS for NO2 and SO2 are planned

16. Proposed CAAQS and Thresholds • Current CWS for ozone – 65 ppb, PM2.5 24h – 30 µg m-3

17. Place-based approach for managing air quality 6 Regional Airsheds across Canada Cross provincial/international boundaries Coordinate action on transboundary air pollution Local Air Zones Geographical units within Alberta for air quality management and reporting to ensure CAAQS not exceeded Element 3: Air Zone Management

18. Proposed Regional Airsheds

19. Finite area that exhibits similar air quality issues and challenges throughout within provincial/territorial boundaries Purpose: to facilitate effective management of air quality at a local scale Air zones will cover all of Alberta Each province delineates and manages air zones within its boundaries CCME proposed guidance for air zone delineation and management What is an Air Zone?

20. Air Zone Delineation Considerations • Consideration of spatial characteristics • Emission sources and air quality • Meteorology and geography • Socio-economic patterns and projections • Additional Alberta considerations for delineation • Existing Alberta airshed zones • Existing land-use regions • Resources: keep number of air zones low to reduce resources required • Alignment with EXISTING programs

21. Air Zone Implementation and Reporting • Stakeholder engagement summer 2012 • Seek input on air zone boundaries • How best to manage air quality in the air zones • Reporting starts in 2014 • 1st annual report in 2014 (based on 2011 to 2013 data) • Management levels for each air zone set in 2014 • Air zone management plans to • achieve 2015 and 2020 CAAQS • focus on priority areas with particular air quality challenges or high population densities

22. Path Forward on AQMS Implementation • AB will have a single air quality management system meeting national AQMS obligations and all our other air quality management needs • In meeting national AQMS obligations, must ensure alignment with other AB obligations, frameworks and strategies • Need to build on or use existing processes where possible – practical, cost-effective approach, avoiding duplication • Key national milestone – Fall 2012 CCME Council of Ministers meeting – chaired by our Minister

23. LUF Regions and Airshed Map

24. Current Role of Airshed Zones • Initially established in 1995 – currently nine in Alberta • Developed based on a regional need • Air quality monitoring – sharing of data • Development of airshed management plans • Delivery of non-regulatory management • Education and outreach • Forums for stakeholder discussion about air quality issues

25. Future Role of Airshed Zones? • Some options: • Continue as a voluntary non-profit organization • Operate monitoring stations • Participate on air zone management team • Options (if overlap with > 1 air zone): • Participate in more than one air zone • Participate in air zone most important to them • Adjust boundaries • What do you think the future role of Alberta airsheds should be?

26. QUESTIONS?Bob MyrickBob.Myrick@gov.ab.ca780 415 9364