Events Submission Records (2016 Regulation)
Exceptional Events Demonstrations: Showcasing the Impact of Unusual Pollution Sources
In an effort to understand and address unusual events that significantly impact air quality, various environmental agencies across the United States have been submitting demonstrations under the 2016 Exceptional Events Rule. This rule, established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides a framework for excluding data from regulatory determinations if these exceptional events can be proven to have caused elevated pollutant concentrations.
One such example comes from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), who demonstrated an event in the State of New Jersey. The NJDEP's demonstration, along with supporting documents such as an EPA Cover Letter and Technical Support Document, is available for public viewing.
Similarly, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CDEEP) demonstrated the 2016 Canadian Wildfire in the State of Connecticut. Their demonstration, as well as related EPA documents, can be found online.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) also submitted two demonstrations in May and July 2016, both of which are accompanied by supporting EPA documents.
These demonstrations typically include detailed data, air quality modeling, and scientific analysis to support the claim that an event influenced monitored levels. The EPA reviews these demonstrations and issues decision documents either approving or disapproving them. These documents explain whether the demonstrated events meet the criteria under the 2016 Exceptional Events Rule for exclusion from regulatory considerations like nonattainment designations or penalties.
Common examples of events demonstrated include wildfire smoke events validated as Exceptional Events for PM2.5 exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), dust storms demonstrated and approved as exceptional events for PM10, and ozone exceedances demonstrated as influenced by exceptional events like stratospheric ozone intrusions.
While the provided search results did not list particular 2016 Exceptional Events demonstrations or EPA decision documents, references to EPA's reliance on scientific reports for rulemaking and regulatory considerations, including air pollution issues, are present. For specific case examples and decision documents, it is recommended to consult EPA’s Exceptional Events webpage or regional EPA office archives where such letters and demonstration packages are often publicly posted.
In summary, exceptional events demonstrations involve technical evidence showing ozone or particulate levels were caused by specific exceptional events, and EPA decision documents evaluate and approve or disapprove these demonstrations under the 2016 Rule. Typical events include wildfires, dust storms, and ozone intrusions affecting monitored ozone and PM concentrations.
- The land-based wildfire in Connecticut in 2016, as demonstrated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CDEEP), contributed to elevated PM2.5 concentrations that could not be attributed to normal pollution sources.
- The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) provided evidence in their May and July 2016 demonstrations that certain climate-change events, such as ozone intrusions, significantly influenced monitored levels of air pollutants.
- In the spirit of addressing unusual pollution sources, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) submitted a demonstration in 2016 to showcase an event that impacted the state's air quality, with supporting documents available for public viewing.
- The finance sector can play a role in addressing climate change and its impact on air quality by considering energy investments that minimize emissions and support renewable electricity.
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