What environmental benefit does an AERA provide?
The completion of an AERA has both indirect and direct benefits. Facilities that complete an AERA may initially determine that the potential human health risk posed by emissions from their facility is unacceptable. Based on these preliminary results, the project proposer may choose to improve emission controls or efficiencies within the plant prior to submitting their AERA results and thereby reduce emissions from their facility (e.g., pollution prevention measures). Emission reductions (risk reductions) may also occur as a direct result of the AERA process and recommendations on how to mitigate potential risk. Some examples of mitigation include process improvements, product substitutions, diesel idling prevention measures, voluntary mercury limits, and stack testing to better characterize emissions. Recommendations such as these are discussed with the project proposer to ensure that they are feasible and will be effective. In some cases, facilities have worked together with the MPCA
