AQMAU. Air Quality Modelling and Assessment Unit

Transcription

1 AQMAU Air Quality Modelling and Assessment Unit

2 Introduction 1. Who / What is AQMAU 2. Environment Agency Role in AQ Regulation 3. Technical Role in Environment Agency 4. Supporting EP Regulation Planning Auditing applications Dedicated impact assessment Incident Response 5. Facilitating EP regulation Tools + guidance Training Software Custodian 6. Example EP-PPC Application 7. Current Issues

3 1. Who / What is AQMAU The national focus of expertise on air quality modelling and assessment providing both leadership operational support ensure air quality modelling and assessments for permit applications, compliance, enforcement and incident investigations are consistent, of a high standard and based on sound science. National Function - Wales and England Currently Nine Staff Based in Tŷ Cambria, Cardiff

4 2. Agency Role in Air Quality Management Context Local Air Quality Management 200 LAs Declared AQMAs (7 UAs in Wales) 500 AQMAs (UK wide) Mostly traffic related 8 AQMAs relating to Agency regulated processes BUT 25+ Agency regulated processes make a significant contribution to local AQ

5 2. Agency Role in Air Quality Management Business Policy Statement Have Regard to UK AQS EPR permits (IF ISSUED) must not allow EU EQS (limit values) to be exceeded UK AQ objectives/eu target values are not EQSs Commitment: Emissions shouldn t contribute significantly to failure of UK AQS objective or EU LV Use BAT to contribute to achieving UK background exposure reduction and EU target values

6 3. AQMAU Role - Technical Expertise High-level Remit modelling & impact assessment Air Quality Also Noise, Odour, Human Health Work with Business & Evidence Directorates Identify issues for scientific investigation Contribute to research and development Liaise with modelling community Inform Agency Statutory Functions Regulatory strategies Risk-based regulation Reporting to Government

7 4. AQMAU - Supporting EP Regulation A Permit determination High-level audit on contentious planning applications Advice and guidance to pre-app (Area Officers) Audit Environmental impact assessment high risk Risk-based approach (AQMAU Tools) Detailed report to Permitting Officer Contribute to draft decision Advise on schedule 5 if necessary Educate consultants

8 4. AQMAU - Supporting EP Regulation B EP Compliance h Pre-operational conditions h Improvement conditions h Incident response h Complaint investigation h Un-authorised releases h ELV exceedences polluter pays we check h Enforcement risk-based evidence to support action (e.g. enforcement / suspension notice, prosecution) h Permit / sector review

9 5. AQMAU - Facilitating EP Regulation AQMAU Tools 1 Auditing tool extract model input data Screening tool - incorporates simplified version of ADMS & AERMOD permitting officers screen out low risk Refer AQMAU if high environmental risk (uncertainties) H1 LT criteria - PCLT <1%, PECLT < 70% H1 ST criteria - PCST <10%, PECST < 20% Headroom Ammonia Screening Tool - EP Intensive Agriculture Applicants use to decide whether to undertake detailed modelling (using proprietary software). Permitting Officers Screen out low risk Or refer to AQMAU for detailed audit

10 Audit Tool

11 Screening Tool Input emission parameters Input pollutant emission rates AQS Pre-programmed percentiles Select area-based met data Run

12 5. AQMAU - Facilitating EP Regulation AQMAU Tools 2 Other tools Refinery Tool for refinery sector Health Risk Assessment tool (not rolled out) Source check Dry deposition calculator Noise Screening Tool - in development

13 6. AQMAU Audit Example From Permitting Officer if failed screening tool approx 100 audits / year

14 AQMAU Audit Approach Source calculations precautionary principle Emission rates at ELVs e.g. WID (permitting) Emission conditions worst case for short-term impact Pathway - dispersion model Model choice policy none prescribed, sound science, validated Check input parameters and model Check modelling -sensitivity analysis Precautionary assumptions Consider modelling uncertainties if high risk, low headroom etc. Receptors Ambient Air Directive 2008 LAQM TG09 members of the public have regular access etc Precautionary principle consider met uncertainties Human food-chain modelling dioxins/furans & some metals Background data various sources LAQM, AQ Archive, others

15 AQMAU Audit Pathway - Dispersion Model No model prescribed Typically new generation gaussian models e.g. ADMS, AERMOD Complex characterisation of atmospheric stability considering relationship between horizontal and vertical shear stresses each hour Complex building / terrain / coastal effects more than one model Specialist modelling - high risk & high uncertainty Consider particle models, 3D wind field models (e.g. Calpuff, NAME) Compare predictions against: Limit Values beyond BAT Target Values, EALs (non-statutory) BAT applies

16 7. AQMAU Current Issues Many applications from Waste incinerators and biomass Public participation and engagement (HHRA) Long-term NO 2 adjacent to AQMA Long-term metals impact (Target Values and H1 EALs) Nutrient Nitrogen deposition European Sites Also intensive agriculture habitats receptors Ammonia critical levels (1 mg/m 3 for lichens and bryophytes) Nutrient Nitrogen deposition critical loads And existing permits with significant impacts Integrated steelworks (PM 10 ) Refineries (SO 2 ) Ongoing better regulation (more for less) Updating AQMAU tools developing new tools.

17 AQMAU Summary Environment Agency technical specialist Air Quality, Noise, Human Health impact assessment National Body (Wales & England) Provide Tools for Permitting and Compliance Officers support regulation Risk-based approach Permitting - Carry out audit modelling if high risk Compliance - Specific investigations Influencing regulatory strategy Helpdesk internal staff and external bodies [email protected] or (029)