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Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community Launches Eyes On Air Webpage To Provide Real-Time Air Quality For Beaver County

On February 27, the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC) announced the launch of their new webpage-- Eyes on Air-- designed to provide free, real-time air quality data to all Beaver County residents.

Built with community accessibility in mind, this platform provides residents with the tools they need to understand what’s in our local air, track pollution trends and learn how to advocate for cleaner air.

Eyes on Air presents air quality data in a clear, visual format and includes:

-- Real-time air data from BCMAC’s AirSense project

-- The PurpleAir map showcasing broader air quality trends

-- Resources to help everyday community members understand and analyze air pollution

The AirSense project includes five Aeroqual AQM 65 monitors, strategically placed in Beaver, Brighton Township, Center Township, Raccoon Township, and Rochester.

These high-quality monitors continuously track key air pollutants linked to health risks, providing residents with reliable, localized air quality data.

In March, BCMAC will launch a mobile ENMET eGC air monitor for targeted testing of hazardous pollutants like benzene and 1,3-butadiene.

Residents can sign up to host the monitor for two weeks, contributing to localized air quality research and community advocacy.

“The process of creating Eyes on Air alongside the community has been an incredible experience,” said Hilary Starcher-O'Toole, Executive Director of BCMAC. “Through focus groups, surveys, and social media discussions, residents shared what they needed in an air quality resource, and we built this platform together. As someone born and raised in Beaver County, it’s been rewarding to co-create a tool that truly reflects the concerns and hopes of my neighbors. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to keep evolving Eyes on Air with the community’s input.”

AirSense is funded by the Environmental Mitigation Community Fund, created as part of a May 2023 Consent Order and Agreement between the Department of Environmental Protection and Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC.

Under this agreement, the Shapiro administration secured nearly $10 million for DEP and local communities, including $5 million for projects benefiting Beaver County residents.

As part of the settlement, Shell acknowledged exceeding emission limits for air contaminants and committed to corrective actions to prevent future violations.

Eyes on Air also features real-time data from Project SPOTlight, a collaborative effort between BCMAC and The Breathe Project to expand community air monitoring.

Through this initiative, residents can apply to host a free PurpleAir sensor, which continuously measures PM2.5 levels.

Data from these sensors is integrated into the PurpleAir map on the webpage, providing a more complete picture of air quality trends.

BCMAC encourages all residents to explore Eyes on Air and use it as a powerful tool for advocacy and awareness.

Visit the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community’s Eyes on Air webpage for real-time air quality information.

For more information on initiatives, programs and upcoming events, visit the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community webpage.

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Feb. 22 to 28 - 11 More Abandoned Shale Gas Wells; 12,600 Gallon Wastewater Spill; Failure To Comply With Shale Well Plugging Order [PaEN]

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Coterra Energy Spills 12,600 Gallons Of Wastewater From Shale Gas Well Pad In Bridgewater Twp., Susquehanna County [PaEN]

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: DEP Issues Violations For Abandoning 11 More Shale Gas Wells; Shale Gas Well Owner Fails To Comply With Plugging Order [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - March 1 [PaEN]

-- DEP Issues Air Quality Permit For Nova Energy LLC Cryptocurrency Data Center In Venango County [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 66 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 1 PA Bulletin [PaEN]