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Agency updates monitoring site and approves two small permit changes
Summary
Staff reported steady ozone and near-steady PM2.5 design values, an AB Tech monitoring-site MOU and plans to prepare a pad and electrical work, and the board approved minor permit modifications for Pratt & Whitney and the Biltmore Company after staff said modeled emissions impacts were minimal.
Monitoring staff updated the board on air monitoring and site planning and the board approved two permit actions Feb. 3.
Steve, the agency—ield monitoring lead, said ozone design values remain steady and PM2.5 showed a slight uptick but overall monitoring completeness was strong (ozone ~93.8%, PM2.5 ~97.7). "We're steady there," Steve said of ozone design values, and staff noted they are awaiting federal designations tied to a court challenge over the PM2.5 standard.
On the AB Tech monitoring site, staff said the memorandum of understanding and addendum were complete and that county and AB Tech cooperation would allow the agency to pour a pad and install electrical infrastructure so the agency can site monitoring equipment later in the year. Director Ashley said using a state building for the site would reduce costs; staff discussed savings estimates during the meeting and various speakers referenced figures of roughly $40,000 and a higher estimate of about $80,000.
The board heard two permit matters. James summarized a small modification for Pratt & Whitney involving equipment changes (wax-injection machine and a nitride spray booth) and said modeled increases in total emissions were minimal. "When you look at the total emissions, new versus old on this, it was very minimal," James said. The board moved and approved that modification by voice vote.
Staff also presented a request from the Biltmore Company to keep an air-curtain burner on site for wood-waste management; staff said modeling showed very little ambient impact because the site is distant from residences. The board approved that permit by voice vote.
Why it matters: The monitoring-site steps will expand the agency's local data collection and support air-quality forecasting. The permit approvals were for relatively small, operational changes; staff said modeled impacts are negligible but will continue to monitor and require compliance conditions in permits.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with AB Tech site preparations as funding and scheduling allow and will finalize permit paperwork and compliance conditions for the approved modifications.
