July 26, 2021
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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The Office of Air Quality ("OAQ") of the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment ("ADEE")- Division of Environmental Quality ("DEQ") released its annual State of the Air Report ("Report") pursuant to a July 21st news release.
As a Clean Air Act delegated state, OAQ is the Office of DEQ that implements the various federal obligations under the Clean Air Act.
In releasing the Report, ADEE Chief Administrator of the Environment, Julie Linck, is quoted as stating:
. . . The air we breathe is one of our greatest natural resources. In Arkansas, we are fortunate to enjoy outstanding air quality. . . We are meeting all health-based standards for air quality throughout the state, and reduced pollution is resulting in visibility improvement at our scenic wilderness areas.
In the forward to the Report, William Montgomery, Associate Director, DEQ Office of Air Quality, notes in particular that the State of Arkansas is meeting all Clean Air Act National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Further, he states that OAQ inspectors met all United States Environmental Protection Agency requirements for inspections during the federal fiscal year 2020. In addition, OAQ provided $964,960 in funding local communities to replace heavy duty diesel vehicles through the Clean Fuels program.
Topics addressed in the Report include:
- Introduction to the Office of Air Quality
- OAQ Response to COVID-19
- Permits
- Compliance
- Asbestos
- Enforcement
- Policy and Planning
- Contacts and Acknowledgements
The Appendices addressed include:
- Appendix A: National Ambient Air Quality Standards
- Appendix B: Arkansas Air Quality Monitoring
- Appendix C: Arkansas Emission Inventory
- Appendix D: 2020 Ozone Forecasting Season Summary
A copy of the news release with a link to the Report can be downloaded here.
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