Air Quality Technical Support Services

Primary Technical Services

CEQA/NEPA Analysis

Extensive experience completing air quality and GHG emissions/climate change CEQA/NEPA sections. IS/ND and FONSI sections for low impact projects and full EIR/EIS sections completed for complex projects. Experience includes providing support and recommendations for appropriate project mitigation measures.

Emissions Estimates

Criteria, air toxic contaminant, and greenhouse gas emissions estimates completed using the California air quality agencies approved CalEEMod model or through spreadsheet calculations. This includes extensive experience estimating emissions from all normal types of construction and traffic emissions sources (including rail, marine and aircraft) and stationary source emissions.

Air Dispersion Modeling

Air dispersion modeling experience includes using agency approved screening level methods and complex air dispersion modeling analyses using USEPA recommended AERMOD model for seaports and airports; and the latest approved techniques for modeling 1-hour nitrogen dioxide (NO2) impacts.

Health Risk Assessment

Air pollutant health risk assessments using agency approved screening level analyses methods or using refined air dispersion modeling methods combined with the CARB/OEHHA approved HARP model. Experience completing risk assessments complying with BAAQMD and SCAQMD method requirements.

Permitting Support

SCAQMD Certified Permitting Professional (CPP). Experience completing permits or interfacing with local permitting agencies as a third-party agency representative for projects within over half of the local air quality agencies in California. Additional experience completing permitting process for stationary source sites within Oregon, Idaho, and Clark County, Nevada.

Acronyms

Specialized Technical Support

Modeling Expertise

Acronyms are useful but can be confusing. The air quality acronyms not otherwise spelled out in this website are as follows:

ADEIR - Administrative Draft EIR
AERMOD - AMS/EPA Regulatory Model
BAAQMD - Bay Area Air Quality Management District
CalEEMod - California Emissions Estimator Model
CARB - California Air Resources Board
CEQA - California Environmental Quality Act
EIR - Environmental Impact Report
EIS - Environmental Impact Statement
EMFAC - CARB on-road vehicles emissions factor model
FOCA - Federal Office of Civil Aviation (Switzerland)
FONSI - Finding of No Significant Impact
GHG - Greenhouse Gases
HARP - Hot Spots Analysis and Reporting Program
IS/MND - Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
IS/ND - Initial Study/Negative Declaration
NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act
OEHHA - Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
OFFROAD - CARB off-road equipment emissions model
POLB - Port of Long Beach
RAST - Risk Assessment Standalone Tool
SCAQMD - South Coast Air Quality Management District
USEPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency

Screening Level Impact Analysis. Does your project trigger IS/MND or full EIR analysis based on air quality or GHG emissions impacts? A simple and cheap screening level analysis can provide that answer.
Visible and thermal plume modeling analysis to support aircraft or ground traffic safety impact analysis or visual resources impact analysis. This type of analysis may be required near airports for large stationary sources, such as power plants.
Air quality compliance audits. Construction mitigation measure and facility operation compliance audits. Preparation of air quality compliance manuals.
Agency reporting support, such support with data gathering, data analysis, and preparation of commercial vehicle reporting documentation required by CARB.
Air Quality Training. Completion of technical training sessions for emissions estimation methods, air dispersion modeling methods, visible and thermal plume modeling methods, or general or focused regulatory requirements training.
Source Test Support. Third party review oversight of source tests and/or review of source testing plans and source test reports.

Expertise includes the use of the following currently approved emissions estimation and air dispersion models.

AERMOD air dispersion model
CalEEMod - California Emissions Estimator Model
CARB EMFAC Model
CARB OFFROAD Model
HARP, most specifically the RAST module of HARP

Other emissions estimating and modeling methods/techniques employed include the following:

USEPA AP-42 emissions factors (fugitive dust estimates)
POLB emissions inventories for commercial marine vessels
USEPA emissions factors for locomotive engines
FOCA (Swiss) emissions factors for helicopter engines
Manufacturer guarantees where available
Regulatory limits, such as architectural coating VOC limits.
SCAQMD approved internal combustion engine emissions factors