The Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency (WNCRAQA) is one of three local programs in North Carolina. The Agency enforces Air Quality regulations in Buncombe County and the City of Asheville. Regulations cover everything from open burning to asbestos demolition, as well as industrial facilities. The WNCRAQA is responsible for regulating all stationary and area sources of air pollution in Buncombe County and the city of Asheville. Regulatory activities include permitting, compliance inspections, and enforcement proceedings. Stationary sources are categorized into three groups: Title V facilities, synthetic minor facilities, and small facilities. Other facilities that are regulated by WNCRAQA include gas stations and dry cleaners. Gas stations are regulated through the Stage I Vapor Recovery program, and Dry Cleaners are monitored and inspected annually. WNCRAQA also has an air monitoring program that measures ozone and particulate matter in the county. The Agency is overseen by an independent board of five members, of which three are appointed by the Buncombe County Commission, and two by the Asheville City Council. There is one ozone monitor and three PM2.5 monitors that are operated in accordance with EPA requirements. Air Monitoring is an important part of protecting the health of the citizens of Western North Carolina.
Air Quality Board Table: Air Quality Board Name Appointment End of Term Vonna Cloninger Buncombe County 7/1/2022 Joel Storrow - Chair City of Asheville 7/1/2022 Karl Koon - Vice Chair Buncombe County 7/1/2026 Evan Couzo City of Asheville 7/1/2026 Garry Whisnant Buncombe County 11/1/2026 The Air Quality Board's primary responsibility is to govern the overall operations of the Agency, including approval of industrial permits, oversight of the Agency budget, and final judgment on appealed Notices of Violation. In order to accomplish these duties, the Air Quality Board meets bi-monthly and at other times as warranted.
Air Quality Meeting Schedule Your browser must support JavaScript to view this content. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings then try again. Events calendar powered by Trumba
Board Agendas & Minutes 2021 July 12, 2021 Agenda May 10, 2021 Agenda Minutes April 15, 2021 Minutes March 8, 2021 Agenda Minutes January 11, 2021 Agenda Minutes 2020 November 9,2020 Agenda Minutes September 14,2020 Agenda Minutes July 13,2020 Agenda Minutes May 18,2020 Agenda Minutes March 9,2020 Agenda Minutes January 13, 2020 Agenda Minutes 2019 November 12, 2019 October 15, 2019 September 09, 2019 July 08, 2019 May 13, 2019 March 11, 2019 January 14, 2019 2018 November 13, 2018 September 17, 2018 June 26, 2018 May 14, 2018 March 12, 2018 January 8, 2018 2017 November 13, 2017 September 26, 2017 July 10, 2017 May 8, 2017 March 13, 2017 January 9, 2017 2016 November 14, 2016 September 12, 2016 July 11, 2016 May 9, 2016 March 14, 2016 January 11, 2016 2015 November 9, 2015 September 12, 2015 July 13, 2015 May 11, 2015 March 9, 2015 January 12, 2015
Annual Reports 2018 Annual Report Download the 2018 WNC Air Quality Annual Report Summary 2018 Annual Report 2017 Annual Report Download the 2017 WNC Air Quality Annual Report Summary 2017 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report Download the 2016 WNC Air Quality Annual Report Summary 2016 Annual Report 2015 Annual Report Download the 2015 WNC Air Quality Annual Report Summary 2015 Annual Report