A13E-3228:
First Environmental Impact Statement for an Oil and Gas Project to use the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx) for the Far-Field Assessment including Ozone Impacts
Monday, 15 December 2014
Lynsey Karen Parker1, Tejas Shah1, Jeremiah Johnson1, John Grant1, Ammon Bar-Ilan1, Susan R Kemball-Cook1, Jim Zapert2 and Ralph Morris1, (1)ENVIRON International Corporation Novato, Novato, CA, United States, (2)Carter Lake Consulting, Laramie, WY, United States
Abstract:
The CAMx photochemical grid model was used to estimate potential air quality and air quality related values (acid deposition and visibility) impacts caused by the drilling and production of 8950 proposed natural gas wells in southwest Wyoming. This is the first time CAMx has been used to assess the far-field air quality impacts, including ozone, in an environmental impact statement for an oil and gas project. CAMx source apportionment capabilities estimated project-specific contributions to total ambient air concentrations for ozone, NO2, SO2, PM2.5, PM10, as well as acid deposition and potential visibility impacts from the proposed gas wells. The project emissions were based on a very detailed inventory generated with operator input. Ozone impacts caused by the wells were lower than expected in the vicinity of the project, and made no significant contribution to high ozone concentrations (modeled and monitored) northwest of the project area.
