Air Quality Forecast for Wednesday, June 26

Wednesday, June 27, 2007:

Fine Particulates (PM 2.5) – Code YELLOW

Ozone (O3) – Code YELLOW

Regional Maximum PM 2.5 Concentrations:
Monday, June 25, 2007:

PM 2.5 – YELLOW (90 AQI or 35.5 µg/m3)

O3 – GREEN 41 AQI or 53 ppb)

Short-Term Discussion: A thick shroud of fog has given way to hazy sunshine. Fine-particulate concentrations have bounded into the upper moderate range. Ozone should respond later today though I’m not sure where concentrations will go at this point, upper moderate seems safe. More haze, heat and humidity expected for tomorrow with a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm thrown in to make forecasting a challenge. Regional background concentrations are above where I thought they would be so action levels are likely to be exceeded tomorrow, though I’m less certain about Wednesday’s ozone concentrations.

Some areas of fog and haze Wednesday morning with temperatures only falling into the upper 60s overnight. Hazy sunshine with afternoon temperatures expected to reach the low 90s. A chance of an afternoon thunderstorm in spots though any rain, while heavy, will not help alleviate the oppressive humidity levels. Showers and increased winds should keep ozone and fine particulate concentrations in the code YELLOW (moderate) level.

Extended: There is no real change to the long-range outlook from yesterday. A cool front is forecast to pass through the region Thursday evening triggering showers and thunderstorms. Cooler and drier air will filter in for the weekend. Air-quality will probably be quite poor until Thursday with moderate levels expected for Friday and possibly lower concentrations for the weekend.

Going green scores Northampton water plant an award

From the Morning Call: 

“The Northampton water authority’s year-old treatment plant has won a national award for its environmentally friendly construction.

Designers of the facility in North Whitehall Township said it’s the first water treatment plant in the nation to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, which sets guidelines for buildings that save energy, use recycled building materials and minimize their impact on the environment.”   Read the rest here.

Army Corps Aims to Find Best Uses for Francis Walter Dam

From the Morning Call:

“When Jerry McAward joined the staff of Pocono Whitewater Adventures 20 years ago, the discussion on how to best utilize the Francis E. Walter Dam had already started.

A small but vocal group of anglers, boaters and environmentalists were united in their request: Store more water, please.”  More here.

Pennsylvania Lauded for Clean Energy Leadership; DEP Secretary McGinty Accepts National ‘All The Right Stuff’ Award

From the DEP:

HARRISBURG (June 20) — Noting Pennsylvania’s achievements in promoting renewable energy technologies, Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty accepted the Apollo Alliance “All the Right Stuff” Award this week on behalf of Governor Edward G. Rendell and the commonwealth.

“In Pennsylvania, we’re turning environmental challenges and the rising demands for energy into economic opportunities,” McGinty told a crowd of more than 3,000 people. “At Governor Rendell’s direction, we’ve successfully brought some of the world’s leading clean and renewable technology firms to Pennsylvania, adding more than 2,500 jobs in this rapidly growing industry. This approach has improved our ability to meet growing energy demands with solutions that are produced within our borders, ultimately leading Pennsylvania down a path of energy independence.”

Since January 2003, Governor Rendell has established Pennsylvania as a leader in the development and deployment of alternative energy solutions. Through smart investments in wind, solar and biofuel projects across the state, Pennsylvania has leveraged nearly $1 billion in new investments from the alternative energy industry.

Leading international firms have chosen to establish operations in Pennsylvania based on the state’s commitment to the industry. Since Governor Rendell took office, the world’s largest solar power integration company in the world, Conergy, and the second largest wind turbine manufacturer, Gamesa, have chosen Pennsylvania as the base for their North American headquarters. Gamesa has also established two manufacturing facilities —one in Cambria County, the other in Bucks County. Together, the commitments by the two companies will result in more than 1,000 new jobs and more than $200 million in new investments.

This year, SunTechnics — a subsidiary of Conergy — merged with Pennsylvania-based Mesa Environmental Sciences Inc., while start-up solar material manufacturer AE Polysilicon and Axion Power International Inc — a leader in the development of advanced batteries and energy storage devices — announced plans to locate in the state. Combined, these projects account for more than $100 million in new investment in the state and the potential for hundreds of new jobs.

“Governor Rendell’s leadership is giving Pennsylvania a competitive advantage in the manufacture of cutting-edge, clean-energy technologies,” McGinty said. “These new industries are investing in Pennsylvania and creating jobs. And once the Governor’s Energy Independence Strategy is adopted, Pennsylvania will be among the top tier of states working to reduce consumer energy costs, and significantly expand the alternative fuel, clean energy and conservation sectors.” 

The Energy Independence Strategy calls for $850 million in new investments in this field by leveraging state resources to attract up to $3.5 billion to Pennsylvania and create as many 13,000 jobs.

The strategy will save consumers $10 billion in energy costs over the next decade, reduce Pennsylvania’s reliance on foreign fuels, and increase the state’s clean energy production capacity.

McGinty accepted the award at the Take Back America Conference in Washington DC, which focuses on creating jobs while tackling environmental challenges.

For more information on the Governor’s Energy Independence Strategy, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us.

Air Quality Forecast for June 23, 24 and 25

Saturday June 23, 2007:
Ozone (O3) – Code GREEN
Fine Particulates (PM 2.5) – Code GREEN

Sunday June 24, 2007:
Ozone (O3) – Code YELLOW
Fine Particulates (PM 2.5) – Code YELLOW

Monday June 25, 2007:
Ozone (O3) – Code YELLOW
Fine Particulates (PM 2.5) – Code YELLOW

Regional Maximum PM 2.5 Concentrations:

Thursday, June 21, 2007:
PM 2.5 – GREEN (37 AQI or 11.5 µg/m3)
O3 – YELLOW (51 AQI or 65 ppb)

Short-Term Discussion: A low-pressure system remains stationary over New Brunswick. Northwesterly flow around this low continues to bring clean and cool Canadian air into the forecast area. This situation will change by the end of the weekend with a Bermuda high expected to pump heat and humidity back into our region. Trajectories indicate westerly flow on Monday. This is not the most conductive flow for poor air quality. If things don’t change over the weekend Monday’s air-quality readings will push into the upper moderate range with an outside chance they may go higher.

Mostly sunny on Saturday with brisk northwesterly winds, low humidity and afternoon temperatures in the mid to upper 70s. Northerly winds and relatively clean air from Canada will keep ozone and fine-particulate concentrations in the code GREEN (good) range.

Mostly sunny and more seasonal on Sunday with afternoon temperatures in the low 80s. Winds will switch to a more southwesterly direction by the afternoon bringing in some more humid air. Sunday’s ozone and fine-particulate concentrations are expected to climb into the code YELLOW (moderate) range.

Hazy, hot and humid on Monday. Afternoon temperatures are expected to peak near 90 degrees. Monday’s ozone and fine-particulate concentrations should push into the upper code YELLOW (moderate) range but may go higher in some locations.

Extended: Summer will return with a vengeance starting next week. Temperatures could push well into the 90s on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. A cool front is forecast to cross the region late on Wednesday. Air-quality readings will likely be quite poor prior to this cool front.

Healthy Summer Tips for you from the American Lung Association

From the American Lung Association: 

Summer means bike rides, barbeques, swimming pools and long days outside in the sun for most Americans.  But for the millions of children and adults living with lung disease, the summer months can mean heightened risks too.

The American Lung Association offers a wide variety of resources on our website, www.lungusa.org, that can help you have a healthier, active summer. 

• Is your asthma acting up?  Summer brings pollen and worsened air pollution, which leaves many children and adults living with asthma more vulnerable to attacks.

  Take a look at our Asthma Tip Sheet and learn how to better avoid attack triggers.

• Avoid unhealthy air.  Poor air quality can mean breathing trouble for people with lung disease.  Pay attention to your local air quality and try to limit your time outside on days that are forecasted to be  unhealthy.  On high ozone days, change your outdoor activities to the cooler morning hours, or enjoy less active pursuits such as reading by the pool.

  Learn others ways you can protect yourself and your family on poor air quality days by reviewing our Outdoor Air Basics feature.

• Suffering with allergies?  Ragweed, grass and tree pollen peaks during this season causing millions of Americans to suffer with runny noses and watery eyes.

  Check out our allergy prevention and treatment resource center.

• Planning a relaxing summer get away?  Make sure your loved ones living with lung disease are well cared for while you are away.

  Use the Lotsa Helping Hands service on www.lungusa.org  to coordinate care for you loved one.

• Are the kids off to camp?  Make sure his or her camp counselors or coaches know your child’s asthma triggers, including pollen, air pollution and secondhand smoke.

  Share our asthma control resources with coaches and counselors.
  

All of us at the American Lung Association work throughout the year to find cures and treatments for many lung diseases, as well as promoting prevention and education to improve the quality of your life and the lives of your family and friends. We want you to enjoy this summer to the fullest — with many more to come. 

From everyone at the American Lung Association, have a healthy, happy summer.

Stronger Standards for Smog Proposed

From the EPA: 

News for Release: Thursday, June 21, 2007

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Stronger Standards for Smog Proposed

Contact: Jennifer Wood, (202) 564-4355 / wood.jennifer@epa.gov or
John Millett, (202) 564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. – June 21, 2007) EPA is proposing to strengthen the nation’s air quality standards for ground-level ozone, revising the standards for the first time since 1997. The proposal is based on the most recent scientific evidence about the health effects of ozone — the primary component of smog.

“Advances in science are leading to cleaner skies and healthier lives,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “America’s science is progressing and our air quality is improving. By strengthening the ozone standard, EPA is keeping our clean air momentum moving into the future.”

The proposal recommends an ozone standard within a range of 0.070 to 0.075 parts per million (ppm). EPA also is taking comments on alternative standards within a range from 0.060 ppm up to the level of the current 8-hour ozone standard, which is 0.08 ppm.

Ozone can harm people’s lungs and EPA is particularly concerned about individuals with asthma or other lung diseases, as well as those who spend a lot of time outside, such as children. Ozone exposure can aggravate asthma, resulting in increased medication use and emergency room visits, and it can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.

The United States has made significant progress reducing ground-level ozone in the past quarter century. Since 1980, ozone levels have dropped 21 percent nationwide as EPA, states and local governments have worked together to continue to improve the nation’s air.

Ground-level ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created through a reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compound emissions in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from industrial facilities, electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are the major man-made sources of these ozone precursors.

EPA also is proposing to revise the “secondary” standard for ozone to improve protection for plants, trees and crops during the growing season. The secondary standard is based on scientific evidence indicating that exposure to even low levels of ozone can damage vegetation. EPA is proposing two alternatives for this standard: a standard that would be identical to the “primary” standard to protect public health; and a cumulative standard aimed at protecting vegetation during the growing season.

EPA is estimating the health benefits of meeting a range of alternative ozone standards based on published scientific studies and the opinion of outside experts. These findings will be detailed in a Regulatory Impact Analysis to be released in the next few weeks, which will include both the estimated costs and benefits. EPA projects that health benefits of the proposed standard could be in the billions of dollars. However, EPA does not consider costs in setting ozone standards.

The agency will take public comment for 90 days following publication of the proposal in the Federal Register and will hold four public hearings. The hearings will be held in Los Angeles and Philadelphia on Aug. 30, and in Chicago and Houston on Sept. 5.

Learn more about EPA’s proposal to strengthen standards for ground-level ozone:  http://epa.gov/groundlevelozone/

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EPA to Discuss Proposal for Ozone Standard

From the EPA:

**News Advisory**

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 20, 2007

EPA to Discuss Proposal for Ozone Standard

Contacts: Jennifer Wood, (202) 564-4355 / wood.jennifer@epa.gov
John Millett, (202) 564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. – June 20, 2007)

WHO:
Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, U. S. EPA
Robert Meyers, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation
Lydia Wegman, Director, Health and Environmental Impacts Division, Office of Air and Radiation

WHAT:
Press teleconference to discuss EPA’s proposal for new ozone standards.

WHEN:
Thursday, June 21, 9 a.m. EDT

CALL IN:
Reporters should begin calling in at 8:45 a.m. EDT. The call-in number is: (800) 811-6040, use Conference ID# 4424717.

Air Quality Forecast for Thursday, June 21

Thursday, June 21, 2007:
Fine Particulates (PM 2.5) – Code GREEN
Ozone (O3) – Code GREEN

Regional Maximum PM 2.5 Concentrations:

Monday, June 19, 2007:
PM 2.5 – YELLOW (83 AQI or 31.8 µg/m3)
O3 – ORANGE (122 AQI or 93 ppb)

Short-Term Discussion:  :  While yesterday’s showers and thunderstorms arrived as expected they did not come soon enough to counter a spike in ozone concentrations across the entire Lehigh Valley prior to their arrival.  A number of factors came in to play yesterday; the extremely high regional loading (haze), closeness to peak solar insolation, and local transport.  Goes to show that you can get the meteorology right and still miss the air quality forecast.  Nothing like what we experienced yesterday on tap for the immediate future.

Seasonal temperatures expected for the arrival of summer, though we had a good taste of it in the preceding days.  Mainly clear Thursday morning with temperatures bottoming out in the lower 50s.  Increasing clouds and becoming breezy with afternoon temperatures expected to be near 80 degrees.  Brisk westerly winds should keep Thursday’s ozone and fine-particulate concentrations in the code GREEN (good) range.

Extended:  Seasonal temperatures are expected over the next several days as a series of weak cool fronts cross the region.  There may be some brief showers over the weekend as a result.  Looks like the heat and humidity will return Tuesday or Wednesday.  In the mean time, ozone and fine-particulate concentrations are expected to remain in the good to moderate range through this weekend.

Air Quality Forecast for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, June 16-18

Saturday June 16, 2007:
Ozone (O3) – Code GREEN
Fine Particulates (PM 2.5) – Code GREEN

Sunday June 17, 2007:
Ozone (O3) – Code YELLOW
Fine Particulates (PM 2.5) – Code YELLOW

Monday June 18, 2007:
Ozone (O3) – Code YELLOW
Fine Particulates (PM 2.5) – Code YELLOW

Regional Maximum PM 2.5 Concentrations:
Thursday, June 14, 2007:
PM 2.5 – GREEN (24 AQI or 7.3 µg/m3)
O3 – GREEN (24 AQI or 31 ppb)

Short-Term Discussion:  A difficult stretch of forecasts for this weekend.  The persistent low off the east coast will finally lift out allowing westerly flow to become firmly established by Sunday.  This will allow the heat and humidity to build over the region by early next week.  When this ends is a bit fuzzy right now but most models are suggesting several days at a minimum.  Timing the onset of this period of poor air quality will be especially daunting because it will have to be done several days in advance. Will go with persistence at this point and keep things in the upper moderate range with the understanding that ozone and fine-particulate concentrations could nudge into the unhealthy category for ozone and/or fine-particulates on Monday.

Clouds lifting out of the region early Saturday morning.  Skies will become partly sunny by the afternoon with temperatures expected to peak near 80 degrees.  An isolated thunderstorm may pop up in portions of the forecast area later in the afternoon.  Saturday’s ozone and fine-particulate concentrations should both remain in the code GREEN (good) range with fine particulates reaching the upper portion of this range.

For Father’s day, mostly sunny and warmer.  A weak frontal system will cause westerly winds to increase during the day and possibly touch off a late afternoon thunderstorm.  Afternoon temperatures on Sunday will be quite warm reaching the upper 80s to near 90 degrees.  Sunday’s ozone and fine-particulate concentrations should reach the code YELLOW (moderate) range.

Hazy, hot and humid for Monday with afternoon temperatures expected to push into the lower 90s.  This will probably mark the start of an extended period of uncomfortable weather and poor air quality that could last several days.  Monday’s ozone and fine-particulate concentrations are expected to climb into the upper code YELLOW (moderate) range with the possibility that air-quality readings may go higher.

Extended:   The heat, humidity and poor air quality are expected to last through the early portion of next week.  The earliest possible relief could occur with a passing cool front projected to cross the region late on Wednesday.  There is a distinct possibility, however, that this front will be delayed extending the heat and poor air-quality readings through a greater portion of next week.