Principal Investigator: John Lin, (UU) Study Period: 1 September 2014 – 1 January 2016 Funded for: $93,335 DAQ Contact: Chris Pennell (cpennell@utah.gov) Wildfires and dust storms are considered “exceptional events” in air quality modeling because they are not reasonably controllable or preventable, are caused by human activity that is unlikely to recur at a particular …
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This study builds on last year’s effort to improve the speciation of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from oil and gas wells in the Uintah Basin. Better speciation profiles will yield a better emission inventory for the basin and will help focus emission reduction strategies.
This study, led by researchers at BYU, will use particulate matter (PM) sampling to identify regional dust sources that impact local air quality and public health, as well as model how dust sources might change in the future.
Call-to-Order Date of the Next Air Quality Board Meeting: November 6, 2019 Approval of the Minutes for September 4, 2019, Board Meeting. Propose with Department Fee Schedule: Operating Permit Program Fee for Fiscal Year 2021. Presented by David Beatty. Informational Items. Ozone Nonattainment Status Update. Presented by Jay Baker. Duchesne and Uintah County Updates. Uinta …
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This month, the Utah Division of Air Quality fired up its new monitoring station for Weber County in Harrisville, Ut. Learn more about the work done at the site to protect human health in Northern Utah.
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This study will test if satellite observations of vegetation and land use can be used to improve photochemical model performance in the Uintah basin. An improved model will help inform emission reduction strategies and regulatory action.
The TRAX air quality project continues to measure PM2.5 and ozone from TRAX light rail trains, and will add measurements to the Blue line. All data is publicly available and posted in near real-time on the MesoWest website.
This study will investigate the existing emission inventory of ammonia (NH3) sources and compare modeled NH3 concentrations to those observed during recent field studies in order to identify and correct missing NH3 sources. In addition to improving the inventory, this study will add new NH3 emission pathways to the photochemical model.
The University of Utah will make measurements of vertical wind and aerosol profiles, as well as ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon in order to better understand air exchange in the Salt Lake Valley during wintertime PM2.5 events.
This study will deploy a number of ozone sensors at different distances up Red Butte Canyon to better understand natural gradients in ozone and how phenomena like large thunderstorms and valley drainage flows contribute to ozone concentrations in the Salt Lake Valley.
Wood burning contributes to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in the Wasatch Front, and reducing the use of wood burning during pollution episodes has been the focus of many policy decisions. This study looks at patterns of temperature, heat deficit, and day of the week along with markers of woodsmoke and mandatory no-burn days, to try and understand if public awareness and policy efforts have been effective in reducing wood burning during pollution events.
The State of Utah no longer furnishes a Visible Emissions Course (Smoke School) but that function has been taken up by the private sector
Read MoreIntroduction In 2011 Kennecott Utah Copper LLC announced a proposal to expand the life of its Bingham Canyon Mine located in the southwest Salt Lake County. The expansion project, called “Cornerstone,” included widening the Bingham Canyon pit to accommodate operations focused on the mining and processing of ore located on the southeast margin of the …
Read MoreOn June 27, 2011, the Division of Air Quality has approved Kennecott’s request to modify its Approval Order, outlined in a Notice of Intent (NOI). The NOI centered on a requested increase in the limit of the material moved from 197 to 260 million tons per year. The public comment period ended on March 20, …
Read MoreAddition of an Ore Grinding Line and an Ore Sorting Plant Public comment is being sought through August 18, 2011 on Kennecott’s request to install and operate a fifth ore grinding line and an ore sorting plant at the Copperton Concentrator. The new equipment will consist of an ore sorting plant with a baghouse, a …
Read MoreThe MAP facility is currently under construction, and commissioning is expected to start in 2013. Public comment is being sought through March 11, 2013 on Kennecott’s request to modify the design of the MAP plant. The design changes have resulted in the modification of the cooling tower. Kennecott will also add a natural gas-fired boiler, …
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