Pod Technologies
Overview:
Pod Technologies provides product development and engineering services for air pollution measurement and control technologies. Areas of experience include:
- Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS);
- Combustion and air pollution control; and
- Air pollution regulations and test methods.
Update:
Recent energy and air quality news, information, and opinion:
Court Tosses out CAIR Emissions Rule
A Federal appeals court struck down a US EPA regulation that requires states to reduce polluting emissions from power plants. Introduced in 2005 and set to take effect in 2009, the Clean Air Interstate Rule would have required 28 Eastern and Midwestern states to reduce smog and soot that can travel across state borders.
State of North Carolina, Petitioner v. Environmental Protection Agency, Respondent, Utility Air Regulatory Group, et al., Intervenors. US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 07/11/2008 (pdf, 22pp., 222kB)- Court tosses out CAIR emissions rule. Power Engineering, 07/11/2008
- Court rejects Bush's signature air pollution rule. Associated Press, 07/11/2008
- Deadlock: Bush air policy. Power Magazine, 07/15/2008
- Federal court scraps clean air rule as EPA solicits comment on GHG regulation. Power News, 07/16/2008
Presentations for Navigating the Carbon World
Presentations for the California Climate Action Registry 6th Annual Conference, Navigating the Carbon World are posted at their Web site. The presentations include a session on AB32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Topics include reduction strategies, mandatory emissions reporting, voluntary early actions, and market-based mechanisms.
Proposed Cement Plant Regulation Revisions
US EPA has proposed amendments to the new source standards of performance (NSPS) for Portland cement plants. The NSPS reduce emissions of criteria pollutants such a particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Fact Sheet (pdf, 3pp., 39kB)
Proposed Rule (pdf, 110pp., 257kB)
Updates to Continuous Instrumental Test Methods
US EPA has published a final notice to correct errors and provide clarifications in the May 15, 2006 updates to Methods 3A, 6C, 7E, 10, and 20. These methods measure oxygen, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides emissions from stationary sources.
Update of Continuous Instrumental Test Methods: Technical Amendments (pdf, 8pp., 205kB)
CARB Study: Greater Heath Risk from PM2.5
The California Air Resources Board has conducted research showing long-term exposures to fine particle pollution pose a greater health threat than previously estimated. Annually, 14,000 to 24,000 premature deaths are estimated to be associated with exposures to PM2.5, a mix of microscopic particles less than 2.5 microns in size. A majority of these deaths occur in highly populated areas around the state, including the South Coast, San Joaquin Valley and San Francisco Bay air basins.
Clean Air Markets Data: 1st Quarter 2008
First Quarter 2008 EDR data from US EPA Clean Air Markets are available from Emissions Data Prepackaged Data Sets or the US EPA FTP site. Data include hourly sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), and heat input data for each unit in the Clean Air Markets programs. These data can be can be reviewed and analyzed with US EPA's Monitoring Data Checking (MDC) Software, as well as with EDR Trend 
Also, MDC CAMD Export Files are updated.
EPRI CEM User Group Presentations
EPRI CEM Users Group Conference Materials presented by US EPA are posted on their web site. Presentations include information on Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS) and a Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) update. There is also information presented at the ECMPS Stakeholder Meeting.
Fine Particle Rule
US EPA issued a Final Rule for Implementation of the New Source Review (NSR) Program for Particulate Matter Less Than 2.5 Micrometers (PM2.5). US EPA's NSR program requires industrial facilities to obtain permits outlining emissions controls for target air pollutants before they begin construction. Requirements include:
- Installation of Best Available Control Technology (BACT); and
- Air quality monitoring and modeling analyses to ensure that a project’s emissions will not cause or contribute to a violation of any NAAQS or maximum allowable pollutant increase.
For sources in nonattainment areas for PM2.5, requirements include:
- Installation of Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) control technology;
- Offsetting new emissions with creditable emissions reductions;
- Certification that all major sources owned and operated in the State by the same owner are in compliance with all applicable requirements under the Act; and
- An alternative siting analysis demonstrating that the benefits of the proposed source significantly outweigh the environmental and social costs imposed as a result of its location, construction, or modification.
Fact Sheet (pdf, 4pp., 56kB)
Final Rule (pdf, 117pp., 425kB)
Clean Air Markets ECMPS Reporting Tutorials
US EPA is begining to provide tutorials to help in the transition to the new Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS). Beginning with the first quarter of 2009, all industry sources regulated under Clean Air Markets Programs must submit monitoring plan, quality assurance, and emissions data to US EPA using this new system.
In addtion, Monitor Data Checking (MDC) Software has been revised for use with current EDR-formatted data files. MDC Version 4.2.58 supports January 24, 2008 revisions to continuous emission monitoring requirements for Clean Air Markets Programs (40 CFR 75), and addresses other minor bug fixes. Changes and fixes are detailed in the Release notes for MDC v4.2.58 (pdf, 1 pp., 11 kB).
Measurement and Monitoring Projects
The US EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) posted a status report of current activities:
OAQPS Measurement and Monitoring Projects (pdf, 15pp, 56kB)
Activities include new and revised:
- Test methods, including instrumental Methods 3A, 6C, 7E, 10, and 20;
- Performance specifications and quality assurance procedures for Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems; and
- Tools for improved monitoring and testing.
Events:
Upcoming energy and air quality events:
- Power Plant Air Pollutant Control "Mega" Symposium. US Department of Energy, the Electric Power Research Institute, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Air & Waste Management Association. August 25-28, 2008. Baltimore, MD.
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