Developing the Fine Particulate Matter Response

Developing the Response – Air Physical System

Developing the Response – Defining the Process Verification: Verify the ambient air quality data to be used in the assessment Calculate the air quality metrics to be used in assessment against air quality triggers and limits Preliminary Assessment: Determine the ambient air quality in relation to the air quality triggers and limits Ensure rare events or natural circumstances are understood as part of the assessment Investigation: If an air quality trigger or limit has been exceeded, evaluate degree of investigation Review expectations related to conditions and consider planning, modelling Identify the natural and anthropogenic sources that are responsible Investigate whether existing initiatives and plans are sufficient to address the conditions Mitigative Management Actions: Determine necessary actions and who needs to act Evaluate options through planning and modelling Select appropriate tools to facilitate implementation of management action Oversight/Delivery of Management Actions: Ensure management actions that have been identified are implemented Assess Implementation Effectiveness: Evaluate results of implementation Continue monitoring to verify expected results Communication Report on progress towards achieving framework objectives

Developing the Response – Where We Are Defining the Problem –What, Where, and Why –Investigating and understanding the problem Engaging stakeholders –Information Sessions –Advisory Committee –PAMZ Technical Working Group –PAMZ Communications Committee Next Steps –Drafting the Response

Developing the Response – Principles Regional coordination Shared ownership –Information session –PAMZ Communications Committee Align with existing initiatives –Ozone Management Plan Science-based –PAMZ Technical Working Group Iterative process

Sections in the Fine Particulate Matter Response

Developing the Response – Setting the Context Priority Issue: Fine Particulate Matter –Describes the situation (what, where, and why) Regional Context (Regional Coordination) –Define ‘regional’ and identify the regional management area Alignment with Existing Initiatives –i.e. Ozone management plan Investigating the Cause of the Exceedance (Science-Based) –How the current science and findings apply to the Response

Developing the Response The Context Goal: –reduce and maintain ambient concentrations below the national standards for fine particulate matter. Objective: –specific guidelines that the system is aiming to achieve (i.e. action, investigation, engagement). Outcomes: –Highlights where we want to be in the immediate, medium, and long-term.

Developing the Response – The Response Sections Management Actions –Baseline knowledge of what stakeholders are currently doing, committed to do, and proposed to do that may have a direct or indirect impact on fine particulate matter. –Stakeholders are accountable for their management actions SectorStrategyActionTimeframe to Implement Lead Transportation Industry Energy Residential Commercial Small business and operations Provide incentive for lower emission from residential equipment Set up energy efficiency rebate program to entice consumers to invest in energy efficiency measures (install new furnaces, windows, and doors etc.) Immediate to long-term ESRD Example (CR Response) :

Developing the Response – The Response Sections Implement –Identifies which management actions above are priority in the short, medium, and long term (when) and how they will be implemented. Evaluate and Report –Speaks to the success of the management response system –Ensures that the implementation of management actions is on track and that management actions are successful through regular check-ins.

Developing the Response – Timeline Nov – Jan: Draft ‘Setting the Context’ sections Jan – Feb: Draft ‘The Context’ sections Dec – Apr: Identify stakeholder/sector management actions Feb – Apr : Draft ‘The Response’ sections Late Apr: Re-engage broader stakeholders (Information session) Apr – May: Finalize the Red Deer Response document Ongoing: Incorporate stakeholders feedback