The North Carolina Division of Air Quality (DAQ), in partnership with the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency (ABAQA), proposes to establish a new ozone monitoring station at the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (AB Tech) site (AQS ID 37-021-0035) located at 340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC.
Addendum 1 to the 2025-2026 Annual Monitoring Network Plan for North Carolina Air Quality documents the need for the new monitor, the site selection and setup, and the compliance of the site with regulatory requirements.
The new monitor will address a monitoring shortfall in the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and fulfill U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for ozone surveillance. It was requested that the division begin ozone measurements beginning March 1, 2026, targeting the 2026 ozone season.
The draft of Addendum 1 to the 2025-2026 Annual Monitoring Network Plan for North Carolina Air Quality is available for public review on the DAQ website.
Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2026. Email comments to DAQ.AQ.ask.ambient@deq.nc.gov.