Pierre River Mine Project

AIR ERCB SIRS 40 – 45
References
Question No. 42
Section 6.1
AENV (Alberta Environment). 2003. Air Quality Model Guideline. Prepared by
the Science and Standards Branch, Environmental Services Division
Alberta Environment. Edmonton, AB. March 2003.
AENV. 2009. Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines. Air
Policy Branch. June 2009.
CCME (Canadian Council Ministry Environment). 2000. Canada-Wide
Standards for Particulate Matter (PM) and Ozone. Accepted November
29, 1999 for endorsement in May 2000.
Request Volume 3, Section 3.4.3.2, Page 3-71, Table 3.4-13.
Shell states, “The modeling results indicate that no occurrences above the 1-hr
AAAQO [for benzene] were predicted for either the Base Case or Application
Case for any of the regional communities.”
42a Clarify if Shell is predicting any benzene concentrations above the AAAQO
anywhere in the local study area (LSA) or regional study area (RSA), excluding
the regional communities and developed areas.
Response 42a The following analysis of local and regional benzene concentrations has been
completed to clarify Shell’s benzene predictions. Ground-level 1-hour benzene
concentrations were predicted in both the local study area (LSA) and the regional
study area (RSA) for the Base Case and Application Case. A summary of the
results for both cases is presented in Table ERCB 42-1. The Base Case maximum
1-hour benzene concentration (excluding developed areas) is below the Alberta
Ambient Air Quality Objective (AAAQO) in the LSA but above the AAAQO in
the RSA. The Application Case maximum 1-hour benzene concentration
(excluding developed areas) in the LSA is above the AAAQO with 13 hours per
year predicted to exceed the AAAQO. In the RSA, both the Base Case and
Application Case maximum 1-hour benzene concentrations excluding developed
areas are above the AAAQO. There are 169 hours per year predicted to exceed
the AAAQO in both cases.
6-14 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
CR029