Palliser Airshed Society Palliser Airshed Society (PAS)(PAS)

CASA CASA Presentation Presentation

October 24, 2005October 24, 2005byby

Carleen Schaefer Carleen Schaefer

Formation of PAS

• PAS was formed in September 2003 in response to concerns over air quality in the Medicine Hat region

• PAS is newest and sixth airshed management zone formed in Alberta

Formation of PAS• One of the main drivers for the formation of the

zone was in response to modeled results for oxides of nitrogen with indicated high ambient levels

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) - 2004 Annual Averages

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

0.025

CalgaryEast

EdmontonEast

Red Deer GrandePrairie

FortMcMurray-Athabasca

Valley

MedicineHat

Lethbridge

NO

2 p

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s p

er

mill

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)

Mandate for PAS

• To achieve recognized credible data‚ the Board will manage and design the air monitoring program in consideration of: – public input– industrial influences– air modeling results

• PAS is mandated to develop a communications plan. The plan is designed to improve the public’s awareness of the air quality issues facing the region‚ enhance the public’s understanding of PAS and develop a platform for the public to openly share their opinions and concerns regarding air quality.

Uniqueness of PAS

• PAS is by far the smallest zone currently operating in Alberta

• Furthest southern Airshed Zone

• City of Medicine Hat is both a municipality and industry

Continuous Monitoring Station – Crescent Heights

Passive Monitoring Sites

Digital Elevation Profile in metres

PAS• Approximately 56,000 people live and

work in this area

• The area's major industries are oil and gas processing, power generation, light manufacturing, agriculture, ranching and tourism.

1-hr Average Wind Rose (in km/hr) Located at the Cresent Heights Site for

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

N

NNE

NE

ENE

E

ESE

SE

SSE

S

SSW

SW

WSW

W

WNW

NW

NNW

>40

30-40

20-30

10-20

5-10

0.8-5

7.1

7.0

4.2

5.1

5.2

7.7

5535150

5537150

5539150

5541150

5543150

5545150

5547150

5549150

5551150

511500 513500 515500 517500 519500 521500 523500 525500 527500 529500

PAS Passive NO2 Stations - January to July 2005

Average Concentrationsin ppb

1-hr Average Concentration Rose for Nitrogen Dioxide (in ppm) Located at the Cresent Heights Site for

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

N

NNE

NE

ENE

E

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SE

SSE

S

SSW

SW

WSW

W

WNW

NW

NNW

>212

150-212

75-150

50-75

25-50

2-25

0

2

4

6

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16

Sun

day

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0

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day

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Nitrogen Dioxide Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

PAS Zone Initiatives

• Work with Praxis who organizes science related activities for schools and community groups

• Zone expansion– Meeting with interested parties

Members and Relations