We are happy to receive questions anytime. We are including answers to some of the questions we often hear.
Frequently Asked Questions
An Airshed is a non-profit organization that monitors outdoor air quality and engages with the community. In Alberta, Airsheds bring together communities, industry, and government to better understand local air quality and support informed decisions.
PRAMP is one of Alberta’s 10 Airshed organizations. Each Airshed provides critical air quality monitoring, comprehensive data for communities, industry, and governments, and community education and outreach programs for its region. Learn more about Alberta’s Airsheds by visiting the Alberta Airsheds Council’s website. albertaairshedscouncil.ca
PRAMP was established in 2016 to monitor air quality in the Peace River area and provide comprehensive data for communities, industry, and governments. Prior to this, community members had been working with industry and government to address odour issues related to heavy oil operations in the area since 2010. This led to an Alberta Energy Regulator proceeding and a recommendation to form the Peace River Area Monitoring Program (PRAMP).
We monitor air quality in the Peace River area, including hydrocarbon emissions in the Three Creeks and Reno regions.
PRAMP’s boundaries now include Peace River, Grimshaw, Fairview, Manning, Red Earth Creek, MD of Fairview, MD of Peace, Northern Sunrise County, and parts of the County of Northern Lights and the MD of Smoky River.
Refer to the Air Monitoring Network Map for location details. Air Monitoring Network Map
Funding from heavy oil operators through the Oil Sands Monitoring Program sustains the ongoing monitoring of industrial emissions and community monitoring. PRAMP relies on a grant provided by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) to support air quality education and outreach. The program also benefits from hundreds of hours of in-kind support from community members, industry representatives, and municipal representatives.
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale that shows the health risks associated with outdoor air quality. It provides a number and a related health risk category to help you understand the potential impacts of air pollution on your health. The lower the number, the lower the risk. Strenuous or prolonged outdoor activity is generally not advised when the rating is 7 or higher, particularly for at-risk individuals who are more vulnerable to poor air quality. Learn more about the AQHI.
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for the Peace River area can be found on our website home page prampairshed.ca. You can also view live air data from our monitoring locations across the Peace River area on our station map.
To report an energy or environmental complaint, please call the Energy and Environmental 24-hour Response Line at 1-800-222-6514. Please visit the Alberta Energy Regulator website for more information. www.aer.ca
PRAMP shares air quality information and offers unique outreach and education programs for classrooms and community organizations. Please contact us to learn more.
Air Quality Lanterns are a colourful indicator of local air quality. Located in public spaces such as libraries and community centres, they raise awareness of air quality and help people make decisions that may affect their health. Find more information on our Air Quality Lantern Program page.
For inquiries about AQ Lantern Sponsorship, contact karla@prampairshed.ca.