This thesis presents an analysis of air quality control initiatives in the GVRD. Starting with
an examination of deteriorating regional air quality, oxides of nitrogen emissions (NOx), are
the focus (as a precursor to ground level ozone.) The research demonstrates that if the status
quo is maintained, episodes of ground level ozone will get worse and the effects will be far
reaching and expensive. The Greater Vancouver Regional District's Air Quality
Management Plan is reviewed, with emphasis on analysis and evaluation of emission
reduction strategies. Emission Reduction Measures (ERMs) are various methods of reducing
air pollution (including scrubbers on smoke stacks, transportation demand management,
alternative fuels and motor vehicle inspection/maintenance programs.) Emission Reduction
Measures are viewed as the tools that must be implemented to solve air quality problems.
Environmentally, the most desirable solution would be to implement all ERMs. However,
factors such as cost effectiveness and social, financial, political and customer service impacts
must be considered and the best measures should be implemented first. The best solutions
are those that meet as many objectives as possible while causing the least amount of negative
impacts on the economy, society, government and the environment. Finding optimal
solutions is a task that requires formalization of common sense. Analytical frameworks such
as the cost/benefit analysis, decision analysis and the multiple account/objective analysis are
considered as potential tools to help "make sense" of the complexity of air quality policy
decisions. The intent is to provide useful and readily understandable information to decision
makers. The Multiple Account Analysis (as used by The Crown Corporations Secretariat) is
applied to an assortment of Emission Reduction Measures to help identify the "best" order for implementation. This method provides results
that compare accounts of importance (such as cost effectiveness and emission reduction
potential) and presents decision makers with quality information highlighting tradeoffs and
preferences. In the scope of this paper, four ERMs are analyzed across accounts and the
results presented in a matrix. The AirCare Program appears as the best choice for effective
reduction of oxides of nitrogen when compared to alternative fuels, vanpooling and the
Burrard thermal generating plant rebuild.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/4542 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Smailes, Robert L. |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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