Alaska Air Fact Sheet

1. What air regulations does the state of Alaska follow?

• The state of Alaska adheres to all federal emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). National emission standards for HAPs, compliance dates and their rules and implementation are found in the following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency link: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/eparules.html. Alaska uses the federal HAPs list for emissions inventory. There is no state list for toxic air pollutants. The last Alaska HAPs emission inventory was completed in 2001 for the three major Alaska communities: Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.

2. Which state organization manages air pollution regulations?

• Alaska Division of Air Quality: Alaska's Division of Air Quality operates and oversees air quality monitoring networks throughout Alaska. The objectives are: 1) To operate ambient air quality monitoring networks to assess compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for carbon monoxide, particulates, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur oxide, and lead. 2) Providing technical assistance in developing monitoring plans for air monitoring projects and 3) Issue air advisories to inform the public of hazardous air conditions. http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/am/index.htm.

3. What are the responsibilities of Alaska's Division of Air Quality?

• Oversee Air Quality Monitoring Networks : This Department operates ambient air quality monitors to assess compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/am/index.htm
• Air and Non-Point Mobile Sources: Responsible forresponsible for monitoring mobile and area sources of air contaminants http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/anpms/index.htm
• Air Permits Program: To protect the environment by ensuring that air emissions from industrial operations in the state do not create unhealthy air. This is accomplished through permitting actions and compliance assurance inspections. http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/ap/mainair.htm
•  Air Monitoring & Quality Assurance: To provide quality assurance project plans and standard operating procedures for the state of Alaska. http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/am/am_sops.htm
• Environmental Radiation: Monitor for release of radio-nuclides and work with local governments to address impacts from previous radionuclide contamination in Alaska. http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/am/rad/radhome.htm
• Volcanic ash : Provide information including volcanic ash health risks, maintenance of vehicles, and ash clean-up. http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/volcano.htm
• Wildfire smoke: To provide information and alerts on wildfire smoke http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/am/smoke.htm

4. Where are the rules found?

• See Alaska Administrative Code: Air Quality Control (Chapter 50): http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/aac/title18/chapter050.htm .
•   Section 10: Ambient Quality and Air Standards:
  http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/aac/title18/chapter050/section010.htm
•   Section 15: Air Quality Designations, Classifications, Control Regions: http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/aac/title18/chapter050/section015.htm
•   Section 30: State Air Quality Control Plan (Amended April 4, 2008):
  http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/doc/SIP_II_II_4APR08.pdf
•   Alaska's 2011 Air Monitoring Network Plan is found at:
   http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/am/index.htm
•   See Ambient Air & Meteorological Monitoring Quality Assurance Guidance Documents:
  http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/am/am_sops.htm
•   Minimum Risk Levels for Air Toxics:
  http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/anpms/toxics/mrls/mrlshome.htm
•   1999 Alaska Air Toxic Emissions Inventory: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/anpms/toxics/ei_health.htm

5. Contact information?

• Alice Edwards, Acting Director

  Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
  Division of Air Quality
  410 Willoughby Ave, Suite 303
  PO Box 111800
  Juneau, AK 99811-1800

  email: alice.edwards@alaska.gov
  phone: (907) 465-5109
  fax: (907) 465-5129

Disclaimer: All information contained in this fact sheet is accurate as of the date specified in the header of this document. ERA accepts no liability for the content of this fact sheet, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. To ensure the accuracy of the information provided, please contact the Environmental Protection Agency. For a more recent revision of this document, please contact ERA at (514) 684-6408.

 

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