AQC Agenda_8July2026

NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
July 8, 2026
10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Air Quality Committee Agenda
Michael Ellison, Chair, Presiding
In the event the previously scheduled Committee meeting adjourns prior to the estimated
adjournment time, the other Committee meeting may be called to order by the Chair, fifteen
minutes after the previous meeting adjourned.
This meeting will occur in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building at 512 N.
Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC. The public may attend in person or via the state web conferencing
links posted online at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-
commissions/environmental-management-commission/meeting-information.
Items marked with an asterisk (*) will be presented orally at the meeting only upon a request by a
Committee member and can be approved where required as a group. Also, items marked with a
less-than sign (<) have no agenda item pages in the package.
I. Preliminary Matters:
1. Call to Order and Notice of NCGS § 138A-15…………………… Chair Michael Ellison
General Statute § 138A-15 mandates that the Chair inquire as to whether any member
knows of any known conflict of interest or appearance of conflict with respect to matters
before the Commission. If any member knows of a conflict of interest or appearance of a
conflict, please so state at this time.
2. Approval of minutes from the Air Quality Committee meeting on May 13, 2026.
II. Concepts:
1. None.
III. Action Items:
1. Request for Approval to Proceed to the EMC to Request Approval to Proceed to Public
Comment and Hearing on the Proposed Rule Revisions, pursuant to the Petition for
Rulemaking and Readoption of 15A NCAC 02D .0400 (Group 0 Rules), and the
Associated Regulatory Impact Analysis (571)
(Katherine Quinlan, DAQ)

PowerPoint Presentation

Draft Rules
Regulatory Impact Analysis

2. Request for Approval to Proceed to the EMC to Request Approval to Proceed to Public
Comment and Hearing on the Proposed Readoption of the Group 1 Air Quality Rules and
the Associated Regulatory Impact Analysis (572)
(Joelle Burleson, DAQ)

PowerPoint Presentation

Draft Rules
Regulatory Impact Analysis
IV. July EMC Agenda Items:
1.* Request for EMC Certification of the Buncombe County Air Quality (BCAQ) Program
pursuant to G.S.143-215.112
(Mike Abraczinskas, DAQ) (Ashley Featherstone, BCAQ)
PowerPoint Presentation
EMC Resolution Certifying Buncombe County Air Quality Agency
Appendix A – Documentary Record:
• N.C.G.S. § 143-215.112;
• Letter dated March 20, 2026, from Ashley J. Featherstone, Director, Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency, to Mike Abraczinskas, Director, Division of Air Quality, notifying DAQ of the proposed reorganization and name change and requesting recertification by the Commission;
• Air Quality Program Transition Memorandum dated May 6, 2026, from the Program Director to the Buncombe County Assistant County Manager;
• Resolution of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners (BOC) adopted June 16, 2026, reforming the County Air Quality Board as an air quality advisory
body pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 143-215.112(c)(4) and extending the term of the predecessor interlocal agreement for administrative continuity;
• Buncombe County Air Quality Code (to be adopted by the BOC); and
• Buncombe County N.C.G.S. § 143-215.112 Checklist.
V. Informational Items:
1. < Director’s Remarks (Mike Abraczinskas, DAQ)
2. * Calendar and Status of Ongoing DAQ Rule Development Projects
VI. < Closing Remarks………………………………………………………… Chair Michael Ellison

Adjournment: The next Air Quality Committee Meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2026.
The time and location will be determined as the date approaches.
Division of Air Quality Resources
Ambient Information Reporter (AIR) Tool
Jointly developed by the State Climate Office of North Carolina and DAQ to provide past, current, and
forecasted air quality and weather conditions.
Active Air Permit Applications Status Reports
View a list of all air permit applications currently being processed by DAQ.
Civil Penalty Assessments
View reports for the past 12 months detailing civil penalties assessed by DAQ.
Special Orders by Consent (SOCs)
View the content of SOCs at public notice and active SOCs issued by the EMC.