PUBLIC NOTICE
STATE OF ALASKA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
MODELING ANALYSIS OF
NORTH SLOPE OIL & GAS DRILLING
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) is offering for public comment and review an air quality modeling analysis (ambient demonstration) of generic North Slope portable oil and gas operations, which was conducted by the Technical Subgroup of the Workgroup for Global Air Permit Policy Development for Temporary Oil and Gas Drill Rigs (Workgroup). The Workgroup was convened in 2013 to discuss air quality concerns and operational limitations for temporary oil and gas drill rig operations at existing oil and gas facilities. Additional information regarding the Workgroup may be found on the ADEC website: http://dec.alaska.gov/air/ap/OilGasDrillWorkgroup.html
ADEC intends to use the results of the ambient demonstration in a future minor permit decision(s) issued under AS 46.14 and 18 AAC 50. The future permit decision would be subject to a separate public comment period, which would be announced in a subsequent public notice.
Ambient demonstrations used in support of a minor permit decision must be made available for public inspection, per 18 AAC 50.542(d)(1)(C)(ii). ADEC specifically invites the public to comment regarding a computer modeling technique used by the Technical Subgroup to estimate the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air quality impacts. The Technical Subgroup used the Plume Volume Molar Ratio Method (PVMRM). The algorithm is considered an alternative modeling technique under the version of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Guideline on Air Quality Models currently adopted by reference in 18 AAC 50.040(f). ADEC must therefore obtain EPA approval to use the alternative technique, per 18 AAC 50.215(c)(2), and request public comment regarding the alternative technique, per 18 AAC 50.542(d)(1)(F). The Region 10 office of EPA granted the Workgroup permission to use PVMRM on June 28, 2016.
Available Information: You may download the Technical Subgroup’s draft report regarding the ambient demonstration from the following ADEC website: http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/AirPermitsApprovalsAndPublicNotices/
Copies are also available at the following offices:
ADEC Air Permits Program, 410 Willoughby Ave., Ste. 303, PO Box 111800, Juneau, AK 99811
ADEC Air Permits Program, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
The modeling files may also be requested, although arrangements would need to be made for transferring them due to file size. The primary files total 12 gigabytes, and a set of subsequent sensitivity analysis files total 409 megabytes. Requests for the modeling files should be sent to Deana Huff at deanna.huff@alaska.gov, or Alan Schuler at alan.schuler@alaska.gov.
Opportunity for Public Participation: Any interested person may present written statements relevant to the draft report and ambient demonstration, as long as they are received within the timeframe listed below. ADEC will consider all comments received and if warranted, will ask the Technical Subgroup to revise the report/demonstration as needed to address the comments.
ADEC complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact Natalie Wolfe at (907) 269-0291 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 by the 15th day of this public comment period to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Please direct written statements relevant to the draft report and ambient demonstration to Deanna Huff and Alan Schuler, by mail to PO Box 111800, Juneau, AK 99811; by fax to (907) 465-5129; or by email to deanna.huff@alaska.gov and alan.schuler@alaska.gov. ADEC will accept comments through 4:30 p.m. Alaska time on October 13, 2017.