1. Proposed Revisions to Ambient Air Monitoring Regulations, and Proposed FY2007 Air Monitoring Guidance WESTAR Spring Business Meeting March 28, 2006

2. National Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy (NAAMS) Draft: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/monstratdoc.html Goal is to optimize air monitoring networks to: Assess trends, Characterize multi-pollutant component, Promote continuous monitoring for real-time data and support health effects research, Reconcile air quality models. Remove or reduce network minimums for some pollutants. Reductions in Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS). Initiate NCore multi-pollutant network. Initiate PM10-2.5 monitoring network. Guiding document for ANPRM – Revisions to Ambient Air Monitoring Regulations and FY2007 Grant Guidance. Assumes level funding.

3. Revisions to Ambient Air Monitoirng Regulations – Request for Comments Use of PM10 monitors in lieu of PM10-2.5 for applicability. Is MSA > 100,00 appropriate – other factors such as design value. West v. East – county based definition of MSA, aggregate MSA’s. PM10-2.5 siting requirements – census tract v. block group. PM10-2.5 monitoring plans – public comment process. PM10-2.5 speciation network - # sites, methods, analytes. Reduce requirement for # of FRM’s in severe nonattainment areas so more flexibility to increase speciation monitors (ozone and PM2.5). Revoke minimum requirements for CO, SO2, NO2, reduce requirements for Pb in areas not at risk for NAAQS. Revisions to PAMS monitoring requirements - # monitors, frequency and analytes measured.

4. EPA’s Requests for Comments (cont’d) Public notice requirement for Annual Network Monitoring Plan – 30 day comment period. –States/Locals demonstrate that networks address sensitive populations. –States/Locals demonstrate how discontinuing monitors will affect data users outside the agency. –Shall EPA comment on monitoring plans after agencies submit to Regional offices. SPM’s – first 3 years of data from any SPM would be permanently protected from use in nonattainment determinations. –Violating monitors will be required to continue beyond 3 years unless EPA approves termination.

5. EPA’s Requests for Comments (cont’d) All FRM, FEM and ARM monitors comply with 40 CFR Part 58 within 2 years of final publication of rule. Rural PM10-2.5 sites – considering CASTNET and IMPROVE sites, EPA may work with States to establish rural sites. Requirements, schedule and guidance for proposed 5-year network assessments. PM10-2.5 probe siting criteria – probe height for middle scale PM2.5 and middle scale PM10-2.5 monitors is different. Increase in minimum distance between ozone monitors and roadways. PM2.5 field blank reporting. Certification of air quality data by May 1, rather than July 1 PM2.5, PM10-2.5, PMc filters archived for one year.

6. PM2.5 grant assistance authority moved from Section 103 to Section 105. $25.5M (40% reduction from FY2006) moved from 103 to 105. –States/locals will have to match at 40/60 ratio – it is assumed that PM2.5 monitoring will retain its historical level of effort (i.e. $42.5M). –Historically States contribute $75 for every $25 EPA contributes. The $3.5M CASTNET holdback in FY2006 will not occur again in FY2007. EPA will ensure through 105 grant work plans that $42.5M is used for PM2.5 monitoring activities. EPA FY2007 Draft Budget Guidance

7. EPA FY2007 Draft Budget Guidance (cont’d) No new NCore stations, however States/locals can negotiate NCore start-ups. Provides operating $ for 35 NCore stations started in FFY2006. Increases in PM2.5 filter and speciation laboratory costs. Possible support for ammonia monitoring at some NCore stations (inviting comment). Continued support for PM2.5 continuous speciation stations (inviting comment). Possible support for daily metals speciation at up to 10 FRM PM2.5 sites (inviting comment). Possible support for supplemental PM2.5 speciation sites to support health effects studies (inviting comment). Possible changes in funding IMPROVE network (inviting comment). PM2.5 (PEP) audit program reduced to $1.6M (fewer sites)

8. EPA FY2007 Draft Budget Guidance (cont’d) $18.9M reduction in 105 grant funds for CO, SO2, NO2, Pb and PM10 air quality management activities. Mostly realized by reductions in monitoring. $2M Local Scale Air Toxics monitoring program shifted to National Air Toxics Trends network (NATTS) to add more stations or more analytes to some or all stations. No reductions for PAMS. No accounting for PM2.5 NAAQS proposal. Additional money not needed. No target funds for creation of PM10-2.5 networks. –Network plans due 1/1/2008 –Operational by 1/1/2009 –States/locals can disinvest in other pollutants and guarantee funds for PM10-2.5 network establishment.

9. PM10-2.5 National Monitoring Network (proposed)

10. Current PM2.5 Designations

11. Impacts of PM2.5 NAAQS Proposal

12. STAAPA/ALAPCO ACTIONS on DRAFT GRANT GUIDANCE Submitted “Impacts of Proposed FY 2007 Budget Cuts on State and Local Air Quality Agencies” to House and Senate Appropriations Committees. –Restore STAG grants to FY2006 levels ($35.1M added). –PM monitoring remain in Section 103. Held press conference to announce report to public. Submitted written testimony with budget recommendations to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Urge Senators to sign letter circulating in Senate in support of budget recommendations Preparing draft comment letter on FY2007 Grant Guidance. –Circulate to membership for review prior to April 7 deadline.