Impact of New & Proposed Air Quality Standards

Myra Reece, DHEC

Myra Reece, Bureau Chief, DHEC, and Rhonda Thompson, Assistant Bureau Chief, DHEC, lead an hour session on the Impact of New & Proposed Air Quality Standards at the ACEC-SC and SCSPE Winter Meeting on Thursday.  This story is part of the Environmental Track at the winter meeting.

Reese spoke first.  She informed engineers that currently South Carolina is meeting Air Quality Standards, but that the Environmental Protection Agency is considering making standards lower.  Ground level Ozone standards are currently .085, but standards could drop to a range of 0.0700 – 0.075.  With South Carolina monitors can be influenced by close cities such as Atlanta and Charlotte, lowering the standards can make it harder for SC to meet Federal Standards.

Reece then addressed a game plan for the state to prepare for the impact of such standards being lowered.  Being pro-active was the first step.  Staying ahead of the standards and being prepared is important. 

She then discussed the impact of climate change on air quality, and focused on Mercury emissions into the atmosphere being a larger problem than CO2.  DHEC is currently working on a State Mercury Risk Reduction Plan.

Thompson, an engineer herself, then updated engineers about SC Air Permit Program and the new Air Permit Streamlining Program.  DHEC is attempting to reduce time and resources for minor construction projects, increase allowed activities prior to construction permit issuance, and expand permit exemptions.  Thompson stressed engineers should keep permit exceptions on site.  

She then discussed the new Streamlining Permit Program.  This program for a fee will expedite the permit process.  The Air Permit Streamlining programs can cut processing time by almost half.  For more information on the Air Permit Streamlining Program contact DHEC.

This session at the ACEC-SC & SCSPE Winter meeting was well received on the Environmental track.  Reece and Thompson were able to make this session both informative and interesting.