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BOEMRE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES |
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BOEMRE OCS Region: |
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Planning Area: |
Central and Western |
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Title: |
Deployment and Operational of Radar Profiler (GM-92-42-138) |
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Total Cost: $347,029 |
Period of Performance: FY 2008-2013 |
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Conducting Organization: |
LUMCON |
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BOEMRE Contact: |
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Description: Background: Recently the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has promulgated new national ambient air quality standards for ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and regulations for regional haze. In order to determine what measures need to be considered to meet the new standards, an evaluation of the relative contribution from the various air emission sources must be performed. To conduct this evaluation, meteorological and air quality measurements and modeling must be carried out. The individual States in the Gulf area must submit to the EPA, State Implementation Plans which address each of the new standards and regulations. While most onshore regional emissions arise from motor vehicles, power production, and various industries, there also are emissions from OCS oil/gas operations that may impact coastal pollution levels. Therefore, it is imperative that the BOEMRE collaborate with the States and the EPA in data collection and air quality modeling that addresses the new air quality standards and visibility regulations. Regional haze is an important issue since the Breton National Wilderness Area (BNWA) is a PSD Class I area, where visibility has been identified as a significant air quality related value. The OCS oil/gas activity near the BNWA is considerable, making the area potentially vulnerable to impacts from offshore emission sources. |
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Objectives: The purpose of this study is to operate equipment
measuring winds and virtual temperature in the atmospheric boundary layer along
with surface winds, pressure, temperature and relative humidity
at a |
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Methods: A radar profiler equipped with RASS (radio acoustic
sounding system), installed at the LUMCON site near ·
LAP-3000 radar profiler for the measurement of
the vertical profile of wind speed and direction; and · 915 Mega-Hertz Radio Acoustic Sounding System for the measurement of the vertical profile of virtual temperature. |
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Products: Quarterly Reports, Annual Reports, and a Final Report. |
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Importance to BOEMRE: The LAP-3000 profiler data will provide valuable information for visibility and regional haze studies in Breton NWA as well as with air quality modeling to support the implementation of the new air quality standards. BOEMRE intends to actively participate with State and federal agencies in these efforts to ensure that air quality impacts, if any, from OCS sources are thoroughly evaluated. Furthermore, if the study results suggest any impacts from OCS sources, BOEMRE, as a participating agency, will have a voice in the formulation of emission measures that are appropriate for OCS operations. |
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Current Status: Quarterly Report |
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Final Report Due: |
No final report. Contract ends September 30, 2013 |
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Publications: |
None |
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Affiliated WWW Sites: |
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Revised date: |
September 2011 |
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ESPIS |
ESPIS
- All completed ESP Studies: |
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