Keeping Our Air Clean

Yukoners breathe clean air most, but not all of the time. Even a place as relatively pristine as the Yukon still has some problems with contaminated air.

Poor air quality can harm people's health. Children and people with respiratory problems are particularly at risk. Smoke from wood stoves, vehicle emissions from idling cars, and diesel electric generators all pollute the air. Burning garbage also contributes to the problem, as does industrial activity.

The Law

• When Yukoners raised concerns about activities that pollute the air, Air Emissions Regulations were drafted under Yukon's Environment Act to address specific problems.
• The regulations are intended to protect both human health and the environment from harmful air pollutants.
• They also help efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change in the world.
• The regulations do not address wood smoke or vehicle idling. Public education is used to show people how they can help cut down on the amount of pollution from these sources.

Air Emissions Regulations

• control harmful air pollutants from industrial sources such as diesel electric generators, heaters, and boilers;
• reduce air pollution resulting from open burning of garbage, plastics, and other noxious materials;
• control the use of high-sulphur fuels that cause acid rain;
• prohibit any alteration of a vehicle's air emissions control system, such as a catalytic converter or air pump; and
• limit smoke opacity (how black or thick smoke is allowed to be) from air emission sources.

Permits

Air Emissions Permits are required for:

• asphalt manufacturing;
• production and exploration of oil and natural gas;
• quarries larger than 4 hectares;
• processing or handling of coal at a rate greater than 5 MBTU/ hour;
• facilities with equipment burning or using 5 MBTU/hour or greater;
• burning of more than 5 kg per day of garbage (open burning or in an incinerator);
• incineration of special (hazardous) waste or contaminated soil;
• electricity generating facilities with a capacity of 1.0 Megavolt ampere or greater; and
• using a fuel with a sulphur content higher than 1. 1% for heating, electricity generation or other combustion in an industrial process.

Regulation

• Air Emissions Regulation 33 KB

Permit Application Forms

• Application for an Air Emissions Permit: General 189 KB
• Application for an Air Emissions Permit: Activity-Specific Form for Burning or Incineration 87 KB
• Application for Air Emissions Permit: Activity-Specific Form for Operation of a Hot Mix Asphalt Manufacturing Plant 120 KB

Additional Resources

• Air Emissions Regulations Fact Sheet 41 KB
• Clear the Air about Wood Smoke & Vehicle Exhaust 153 KB