Quarry Air Emissions
Client: Pike Industries
Challenge
Pike Industries is a leading producer of aggregates in northern New England. Operations at a proposed crushed stone quarry in Vermont would need to comply with pertinent state and federal air quality regulations. Diesel and fugitive dust emissions would be typical in the day-to-day operations of this quarry.
Initiative
To support Pike’s compliance with air quality regulations, RSG conducted an air pollution permitting study in 2004 that included:
- Estimating fugitive and diesel emissions from all aspects of proposed quarry operations, including drilling, blasting, hauling, loading/unloading, crushing, screening, conveying, and aggregate storage
- Developing a computer-based air pollution dispersion model, using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency software and methods, to estimate air pollutant concentrations at locations proximate to the proposed quarry area, including nearby residences
- Identifying and evaluating available air pollution control measures
- Working closely with project team members to develop an effective air pollution control plan
- Recommending measures for minimizing air emissions and meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements, and Vermont Hazardous Ambient Air Standards (HAAS)
- Preparing a construction and operating permit application to the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR)
Results
We identified equipment and operating parameters that met project objectives while still meeting all applicable NAAQS, PSD requirements, and HAAS. Pike received its air pollution permit from the ANR and has begun construction of the quarry. We have also performed a noise monitoring project for this client.
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