EPEA facilities are generally larger industrial facilities whose operations are regulated by Alberta Environment & Parks and/or the Alberta Energy Regulator. They are issued an Approval to Operate that dictates the requirements for the operation of their facility that includes monitoring and reporting requirements.

Non-EPEA Member Companies are generally organizations whose facilities have air emissions below a threshold that would require an EPEA Approval to Operate. Their participation in PAMZ is voluntary.

PAMZ operates the Regional Air Quality Monitoring(AQM) program on behalf of its members and submits required monthly and annual reports on their behalf to Alberta Environment & Parks. Facilities’ allocation for funding PAMZ is determined using an emissions-based funding formula.

For all industry participants in PAMZ, membership in the organization provides:

  • Transparency and objectivity through third party monitoring by a multi-stakeholder group in an open and transparent manner;
  • Economy of scale for monitoring;
  • Opportunity to liaise regularly with other stakeholders;
  • A social license to operate.

Member facilities and companies are afforded the opportunity to have representation on the PAMZ Technical Working Group that oversees the operation of the Regional AQM Network and participate in decision-making concerning the network. They also have access to more detailed monitoring databases not available to non-members. Member companies select their sector’s representative(s) on the PAMZ Board of Directors who is then responsible for their interests.

For urban and rural municipalities membership in PAMZ affords these organizations:

  • Cost effective solutions for meeting environmental responsibilities;
  • Access to air quality expertise, especially important for municipalities with limited resources;
  • Consistent messaging to all residents in the region, regarding air quality;
  • An important connection between air quality and land use planning;
  • A forum to work with other stakeholders and neighbouring municipalities on air quality issues;
  • Another connection with regulatory and legislative bodies.

Similarly to industry members, municipalities are afforded the opportunity to have their representative on the PAMZ Technical Working Group. Municipalities select their representative(s) on the PAMZ Board of Directors who is then responsible for their interests.

Funding for PAMZ operations from the GOA comes in the form of contracts pertaining to two Air Quality Monitoring Stations located in Red Deer, and contracts and grants for special activities and projects undertaken by PAMZ. Additionally all these organizations provide substantial in-kind contribution of staff and resources to PAMZ for meetings, various PAMZ committees, and routine and special investigative monitoring activities guided by PAMZ data. All the above government departments and organizations have direct representation on the PAMZ Technical Working Group and Board of Directors.

For the GOA membership in PAMZ affords:

  • A demonstrated record of cost effectiveness;
  • Attraction of volunteer(s) and significant in-kind contributions;
  • The ability to leverage government contributions with contributions from other sources.

 

Their local knowledge and opinions are invaluable to PAMZ. They cover their own expenses to attend PAMZ meetings, participate in its committees, and are not reimbursed for their time.

For members of the public, involvement in PAMZ provides:

  • The ability to actively participate in discussions between other sectors (government and industry);
  • An opportunity to provide a voice for their and their communities’ specific interests;
  • Through consensus decision-making, a ‘level playing field’ for all sectors that facilitates equal sharing of information and views.

 

Apply Now

If you are interested in becoming a PAMZ member, email our Executive Director or fill out the form below.