Arctic Air Quality Impact Assessment Modeling

The NEPA air quality assessment and the BOEM AQRP analysis are separate and distinct evaluations required before BOEM can approve plans for oil and gas activities proposed for the Arctic OCS. When these two evaluations are used together, they provide a holistic assessment of Arctic air pollution transport and show how new emission sources, both onshore and offshore, might impact air quality on the North Slope and over near shore areas. In addition, the combined evaluation determines the extent of cumulative effects when considering other emission sources affecting the North Slope (e.g., onshore and in near shore state waters). Results of this study may be used by various entities in support of environmental justice initiatives and permit applications, and the study would serve the public seeking a direct and reliable accounting of air pollution effects on the people and natural environment of the NSB. BOEM uses air quality dispersion modeling to assess the potential onshore impacts of emissions from proposed Arctic OCS oil and gas activities. The accuracy of the modeling predictions depends on several factors, including the rate of emissions and a representative meteorological dataset. Thus, the air quality impact analysis is only as comprehensive as the emissions inventory on which the analysis is based, and only as accurate as the meteorological dataset applied to simulate dispersion and transport of the pollutants. While the EPA, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), and various potential OCS operators have prepared emissions inventories of sources located on the North Slope for purposes of air permitting and other regulatory needs, research is needed to bring together data from these resources that will contribute to a comprehensive accounting of annual emissions.

USD: $1,751,036

2018-09-04 → 2018-09-04