SUBJECT:
Title
Air Quality Monitoring Program - Consideration of Two Resolutions:
1. A Resolution (24-020) of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Approving an Agreement for Services with Boulder A.I.R. LLC for Air Quality Monitoring
2. A Resolution (24-021) of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Approving an Agreement to for Services with Ajax Analytics for Air Quality Monitoring
Body
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Services
PRESENTER: David Frank, Director of Environmental Services
POLICY ISSUES:
Air quality monitoring should be provided by the State, because air pollutants don’t respect jurisdictional boundaries. However, the State does not adequately fund this activity and as a result the Town implemented this program 3 years ago. The data from the program has been valuable in helping identify impacts from oil and gas operations both inside Erie’s boundaries and from outside, from the Front Range Regional Landfill, and from other pollution sources, providing compelling information to State regulatory agencies, making the industry more aware of their impact on air quality in Erie and promoting more effective responses to minimize pollution.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the resolutions.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In May 2021, the Board approved funding for and deployment of Air Quality Monitoring stations to be operated by Boulder AIR and Ajax/CSU which would gather data regarding air quality in Erie. This monitoring is intended to compliment and coordinate with air quality monitoring programs conducted by the City and County of Broomfield, City of Longmont, and Boulder County. The initial contracts included monitoring through calendar year 2023. Staff recommends continuing these services through 2024.
The combined program for Erie using both contractors consist of the following elements:
• An Anchor Site operated by Boulder A.I.R. providing reference grade continuous monitoring of Ozone, specific VOCs, Methane, particulates, and meteorological variables. This link <https://www.bouldair.com/NoCoFrontRange.htm> connects to reporting from Boulder A.I.R.’s AirLive Combined Northern Colorado Front Range website and includes data from the Erie Community Center station.
• Ten apis <https://www.apis-aq.com/product-information/> sensors operated by Ajax/CSU deployed at locations shown in the attached illustrations, with sensors located west of Kenosha Farms, two north of the Colliers Hill neighborhood near the Mae J/Papa Jo/Yellowhammer pads, 3 around the Front Range Landfill and near the Coyote well pad, and near Red Hawk Elementary School. These monitors provide continuous monitoring of total VOCs and auto-triggered canister sampling if total VOCs exceed specified levels. These stations also provide continuous monitoring of particulates and NO/NO2. Ajax/CSU also operates a mobile plume tracking vehicle that can be deployed up to 12 times each year to identify and track specific emission plumes. Finally, Ajax/CSU also supplies the Town with up to 2 grab canisters per month to deploy in other locations and analysis of samples taken with those canisters. The Ajax data are available at <https://www.ajax-analytics.com/erie>.
The apis TVOC sensors detect increases and decreases of a group of over 900 volatile organic compounds. This indicator measurement does not identify which compounds are in the air, nor exactly how many parts per billion (ppb) are in the air at any given point. What these sensors do show are how VOC levels change on a minute-by-minute basis during different types of activities happening in an area. If the TOVC Indicator detects total VOCs above certain levels, it triggers a sample that is then analyzed for specific compounds at the ppb level.
Fiscal Impact: Services and Statements of Work provided remain unchanged from the original contracts and agreements from May 2021.
• Boulder A.I.R. 2024 Budget Impact: $224,734, an increase of 2% compared to the cost of the program in 2023.
• Ajax/CSU. 2024 Budget Impact: $495,854, a decrease of ½% compared to the cost of the program in 2023.
The combined program costs will be $720,588 in 2024.
Board Priority(s) Addressed:
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution 24-020 authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with BoulderAIR
2. BoulderAIR Contract and SOW
3. Resolution 24-021 authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Ajax/CSU
4. Ajax Contract and SOW